Many areas where riots broke out were without electricity for the last three days. When the mercury is touching 40 degrees Centigrade, Karachians are forced to remain without electricity for as many as 10 hours on a daily basis.
In many areas, the KESC’s complaint centres were ransacked and set ablaze by the consumers enraged over the poor performance of the power utility and its indifferent attitude towards the problems of the citizens.
The worst kind of violent reaction against the KESC’s privatised management was reported from Shamsi Society, Al Falah Centre on Sharea Faisal, where an angry mob burnt down the utility’s complaint centre at around 3am on Tuesday.
According to a resident of Shamsi Society, the area was without electricity for the last three days, which had also resulted in an acute shortage of water. He said that despite repeated complaints lodged with the KESC’s relevant officials, no action was taken. This enraged the area residents and they were left with no choice but to vent their anger in such a violent manner.
Reports of protests against the power utility were also received from Federal B Area’s Block 14. According to sources, the area’s 30 MVA grid was neutralized when its transformer was set ablaze, affecting the 10 feeders hooked to the grid. It seriously affected domestic consumers and the industries located in the area.
Angry consumers in various parts of the city including Landhi, Korangi, Malir, Surjani, Baldia, Shershah and Orangi Town blocked roads, pelted vehicles with stones and lit bonfires.
Slamming the KESC’s management, enraged citizens also severely criticised the government for not taking any action to check the situation. They also called for the reversal of the KESC’s privatization and urged the relevant authorities to initiate action against all those who were responsible for the ongoing power crisis.
Unfortunately, the KESC officials were not responding to frantic calls or simply passing the buck.
The collapse of the KESC system has caused a shortfall of 600 megawatts when the demand has already crossed 2,426 megawatts. In such a situation the utility is resorting to massive load-shedding.
Its own generation also dipped as only five of Bin Qasim’s units were operating much below par, apparently to save the cost of furnace oil, at the cost of public agony.
The prolonged power outages – especially after midnight – have exposed the utility’s hollow claims that it will not disturb the sleep of the people. Despite promises made by the KESC officials and the federal minister for water and power regarding no load-shedding during the night, the problem continues unabated.
The business and industry sector has also taken a very strong notice of the frequent and unwarranted power failures and hours-long load-shedding in the city.