KARACHI, May 22: The Karachi Electric Supply Corporation said on Wednesday that it had strengthened its surveillance on the complaints repair staff to ensure quick mending of the breakdowns.

In a press release, a KESC spokesman said the underground cables in many parts of the city were old and during hot weather developed faults.

“It is reiterated that excessive heat affects the single-line power supply distribution system of the city.”

He said the zonal managers and the chief engineers remained available in their respective areas till late at night to keep close check on the electricity distribution system. “The top management is also making surprise visits to the city complaint centres to keep the staff mobilized and the newly-established Central Information Centre is keeping the management informed about the power supply position on a 24 hours basis.”

The public was also being kept informed through the complaint centres and announcements through the media.

He said the city comprised 18 towns and only parts of four to five towns experienced breakdowns, which had been repaired late night. While power supply to the remaining 13 towns had been normal.

He added that on Tuesday underground cable fault had occurred in Federal B Area which had affected power supply to Block 6. “Locating the underground cable fault is a difficult and time- consuming process. However, Chief Engineer Shabbir Solangi, Superintendent Engineer Ashiq Mughal and XEN Iqbal Sial immediately reached the spot and detected the fault. The high- tension cable was dug out and repaired.”

He said that to repair the cable, a shutdown had been effected which had disturbed the power supply to parts of Federal B Area, Blocks 8, 9, 10 & 11. Besides another sub-station fault had suspended supply to Sector 15-B of North Karachi. The Block 7 of Clifton, Baghdadi and Jamshed Road had also suffered breakdowns, which had been immediately attended to.

“To carry out repair works at the Liaquatabad grid station, the supply was under forced shutdown from 3pm to 6pm on Wednesday.”—APP