KARACHI, April 3: Shopping centres and various localities across the metropolis suffered intermittent and prolonged power failures on Tuesday.

The Karachi Electric Supply Corporation spokesman when contacted said at present the power demand was 2100 Megawatt while the supply was 1800 MW.

He said the loadshedding was started in a state of compulsion due to the shortfall of 300 MW from the Water and Power Development Authority.

He said the Bin Qasim power station Unit No 4 was closed for maintenance and was expected to start functioning in the third week of April, saying that such repair and maintenance work usually requires 75 days to complete.

He pointed out that a new power plant was being installed at Korangi Thermal Power Station which would start producing 50MW by the end of May and the production would increase gradually. He said repair was in progress and the production would be increased up to 2,450MWduring the next few months with a remaining shortfall of 50 MW.

Meanwhile, the Alliance of Market Association Karachi has condemned the KESC for unscheduled loadshedding and said due to power failures their business suffered a lot. Association’s chairman Atiq Mir said they were unable to run their business in the evening hours due to power cuts, which were causing them huge losses every month.

He said though the new administration of the KESC had assured that loadshedding would end till April, the situation was turning worse.

A resident of Clifton Block-4 said power supply to her locality remained suspended from 11.45am to 1.45pm. She said it was again suspended at 5.30pm and was not restored till 8pm. She said when she contacted the KESC staff, she was told that the power would again be suspended at night.

A complainant said power supply to Nazimabad Block-3A was suspended at 3pm and at 7.30pm for two hours each for the last one week.

He complained of fluctuations and low voltage in the area, saying that television, refrigerator could not be used due to the problem.

Complainants from F.C Area Liaquatabad, Zeenat Square said unannounced hours-long loadshedding was being carried out daily.

A resident of Orangi Town said power supply to Sector 11-1/2 was suspended at 11.30am and restored at 1.30pm which, he said, was again suspended at 6pm and restored at 8pm.

Complaints of power suspensions were also received from Zamzama, Neelum Colony, Defence, Orangi Town, Gulistan-i-Jauhar, Gulshan-i-Iqbal, Light House, Federal B Area, Malir, Korangi, North Nazimabad and Haroonabad.