KARACHI, June 7: The transmission and distribution system of the Karachi Electric Supply Corporation broke down in many localities of the city, resulting in prolonged and frequent power breakdowns.

Sources in the KESC’s centralized complaint centre, better known as 118, told Dawn that on Saturday complaints of power breakdowns had been received from PECHS, Malir, Gulshan-i-Iqbal, Bangalore Town, Sindhi Muslim Society, Garden East, Federal B Area, Surjani Town, Gulistan-i-Jauhar, North Nazimabad, Golimar, Nazimabad, Kharadar, Korangi and Shabbirabad.

Calling from Nazimabad, Block A, a resident said that his locality had experienced multiple power breakdowns between noon and 1.30pm. “They were brief power breakdowns, but such power shutdowns cause more damage to electronics appliances than prolonged ones. I have read in newspapers that such sharp power breakdowns cause transient currents to be generated which adversely affect integrated circuits in an electronic appliance,” he added.

A resident of Federal B Area, Block 18, said of late his locality had experienced prolonged and frequent power breakdowns. “Apart from power breakdowns, voltage supply remains very low in our locality. A low voltage supply is as bad a power breakdown because we cannot use the home appliances we are all so dependent upon. This particular problem should be looked into by KESC engineers,” he said.

A cable operator calling from Gulshan-i-Iqbal, Block 14, said that his state-of-the-art system had been damaged by a sharp rise in voltage in his locality. “As it is, we work under a large number of constraints and problems, posed by both illegal elements and government agencies. Our clients became very upset when their transmission remained suspended for some time. I had a hard time explaining to them that my cable system had been damaged by the KESC.”

The sources in the KESC centralized complaint centre said that quite often they were told exactly how long the KESC engineers would take to fix a power shutdown. “KESC consumers, already incensed by prolonged power shutdowns, take it out on us when we fail to tell them why there is such a prolonged power cut in their locality and how long it will take us to rectify it. Also, all too often our estimates about the duration of power shutdowns turn out to be incorrect. This also earns us the ire of KESC consumers. The army-run management is however not concerned about these issues.”

Meanwhile, MD KESC Brig Tariq Saddozai has urged the workers of the utility to carry out exemplary work throughout summer and speedily redress public complaints on power failures, adds PPI.

Speaking to workers at the Elander Road power house, he said the management had chalked out plans to motivate workers and engineers so that they could serve the people in a better way.

He observed that due to shortage of generation and overloading of transformers, it was not an easy task to maintain uninterrupted power supply, but if KESC workers and engineers make a firm resolve, the handicaps can be overcome.

He assured the workers that each and every hardworking employee is an asset and the KESC management would shield them from any undesirable pressures and appreciate them for working in the interest of community instead of individuals. Those working with dedication would be rewarded.

He said that power thefts cause loss to the corporation and employees should remain vigilant in controlling it for improving the financial position of the corporation.

Improvement in financial status of the organization would help the management in providing better salaries, wages and facilities to the employees.

System development work for the improvement of the city power supply is being undertaken in consultation with elected representatives of the area, and the corporation had already invited the attention of the City Nazim, Town Nazims and MNAs and MPAs to identify improvement work within their respective areas, he further added.