Thousands of litres of diesel leaks in Karachi’s DHA after pipeline burst

Imtiaz Ali Published January 16, 2020

A six-inch diametre pipeline of the National Refinery Limited (NRL) burst near Khayaban-e-Seher in Defence Housing Society Phase VI, causing thousands of litres of diesel to leak. — Photo courtesy: SEPA

A six-inch diameter pipeline of the National Refinery Limited (NRL) burst near Khayaban-i-Seher in Karachi's Defence Housing Authority Phase VI on Thursday, causing thousands of litres of diesel to leak.

According to the Sindh Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA), the NRL pipeline, leading from Keamari to its plant in Korangi Industrial Area, burst at around 4am, “causing groundwater pollution and inconvenience to residents”.

The spokesperson added that an estimated 50,000 to 60,000 litres of diesel had leaked from the burst pipeline.

A technical team of SEPA, headed by Deputy Director South Abdullah Magsi, reached the site to monitor the situation as police cordoned off the area and stopped the movement of traffic until the road was cleared.

SEPA’s Magsi questioned the NRL staff present on the spot about why the pipeline hadn't been repaired in a timely manner, said the spokesperson.

He added that the flow of diesel was controlled to a great extent after some time, but the NRL staff were directed to take all precautionary measures and fully repair the pipeline to avoid any further leaks.

Pakistan

Imtiaz Ali is a Karachi-based reporter for Dawn with over 25 years of experience in the field. His reporting portfolio encompasses crime, politics, and the provincial legislature, alongside coverage of the courts, government affairs, and the health sector.

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Jan 16, 2020 10:52pm

The tax payer now have to give extra tax to cover this loss.

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Mir

Jan 16, 2020 10:52pm

Pipeline burst...or an attempt by mafias to steal diesel?

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Anwar Syed. St.Louis. MO. USA

Jan 16, 2020 10:55pm

Poor management and negligence will always cause these kinds of leakage and burst. I am glad no one get hurt and it did not caught fire. Because fire depart could not control the fire.

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M. Emad

Jan 16, 2020 11:20pm

Diesel price will go up !

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Tony

Jan 16, 2020 11:27pm

Now expect rise in diesel prices to compansat for the blunder of the revelant government department

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Daskalos

Jan 16, 2020 11:36pm

Deliberate sabotage by PTI-MQM partners, to create a new problem for PPP Sindh government, cannot be ruled out.

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A shah

Jan 16, 2020 11:38pm

Disgusting

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jaredlee

Jan 17, 2020 12:09am

More pollution for already polluted karachi.

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Shah

Jan 17, 2020 02:45am

Not a single day goes by without peace of mind.

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Jan 17, 2020 04:07am

Reckless and mismanagement

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PmikFanClubHeadOfPak

Jan 17, 2020 05:09am

Very sad

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Sairbeen plus.

Jan 17, 2020 05:15am

The underground water at Khayaban-e-Sahar DHA Karachi is already saltish, and cannot be drink or use. A few hundred feet upfront is the beach, which is already polluted by sewerage drains, we all know there is rarely any line water in DHA, majority of residents got water from private subsoil water suppliers, they got from Korangi Hydrants, or Garden Hydrants. There is no guarantee such water can cause skin rashes or allergies, or even typhoid if consumed. The malaria, dengue,is already playing havoc with Karachiiites. Be it DHA or Karsaz, almost all habitants are affected, there’s need for complete cleaning,sparing,disinfecting through massive campaign, the water supplies from Hub Dam, and Damloti be revived in full, subsoil water of only Malir is better, but all subsoil water be test..The responsibility rests with Sindh Govt, which is busy in getting transfer the IGP, but unaware of water issue. Shame.

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kamal chowkidar

Jan 17, 2020 05:56am

Must be an old pipe.

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Zainab

Jan 17, 2020 07:08am

This pipe should not have been in any built up area.National Refinary should have been given a spot near the unloading oil platform.

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mukhtar ali

Jan 17, 2020 08:06am

Part of negligence of maintenance n inspection department of NRL . limelight the person