CDGK offers KESC support to curb Kunda system

November 25, 2009

By Irfan Aligi

KARACHI: City District Government Karachi (CDGK) has decided to extend cooperation to the Karachi Electric Supply Company (KESC) regarding curbing theft of electricity through illegal hook method, The Kunda System. In this regard, a four-member team has been formed, which would other than efforts for curtailing the theft of electricity would also settle other issues between the two stakeholders. Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB) Managing Director (MD) and CDGK Works and services (W&S) Executive District Officer (EDO) would represent the CDGK while the KESC Chief Executive Officer (CEO) would nominate two KESC officer for its representation. This was decided in a meeting held between the City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal and KESC CEO Tabish Gohar on Wednesday. District Coordination Officer Karachi Muhammad Javed Hanif Khan, KWSB MD Qutbuddin Sheikh and CDGK W&S EDO Rasheed Mughal attended.
According to a statement issued on Wednesday, the KESC CEO Tabish Gohar has approached the city nazim for his support for curbing theft of electricity through the kunda system and regularization of illegal power connections so that the electricity supply system in the city could be improved further. Gohar also presented some suggestions regarding saving electricity consumption at KWSB water pumping stations and on street poles.
The city nazim has assured the KESC for utmost cooperation in order to assist the utility to improve the electricity supply system and to curb the Kunda system in the vast interest of the citizens.
The city nazim said further that the CDGK has been offering assistance to KESC with permission for road-cutting in view of efforts by the utility for improvement of the supply system.
The city nazim added that KWSB has been doing its best to settle all payable dues to KESC but other institutions in city have pended hefty amounts payable to KWSB, which restricts smooth operations of the KWSB.
The city nazim urged the utility that it should obtain a no objection certificate in cases of spatial settlements prior to allowing electricity connections so that it could be ascertained whether the spatial settlement was notified or was a mere case of illegal encroachment.
During the meeting, it was also decided that the CDGK and the utility would conduct a joint study to find ways for minimizing electricity consumption at the KWSB water pumping stations.
The city nazim asked the utility to make special arrangements for supply of electricity to 1,385 new settlers at Mehmoodabad and 7,000 residents of Zia colony in Orangi Town and new settlers at Baldia Town prior to Eid Ul Adha. The utility was also asked to assist the CDGK regarding construction of Banaras Chowk Flyover as the shifting of high-tension cables and poles had caused impediments to the pace of work.