Power outages cripple Thatta
THATTA, Aug 31: Trade and business have come to a naught, educational process limping, medical interventions botched and everyday life back to where from it started.
Chiefs of Sarafa, Cloth Merchant, Shoe Merchant, Wholesales and Confectionery, Hotels, Spare Parts and Ice Factory associations have finally announced of closing down their businesses, if Hesco failed in resolving the issue of loadshedding once for all. They also threatened to go on strike.
Civil Hospital Makli, the only major health facility of district headquarters is facing the worst power wrath since operations are not being carried out, especially gynaecological.
Other medical units are no exceptions they too are sailing in a ‘power-less’ boat.
Six wards in Sujawal are without power since long due to the removal of transformers by Hesco. People await its re-installation but when — that is anybody’s guess.
Educational process keeps derailing at coaching centres and technical institutes because of the lapses these face on account of power hide-and-seek.
However, answers to such problems lie in generators and UPS but again these are out of reach of a common man.
Chief engineer Hesco couldn’t be found for comments while spokesman Sadiq Kubar came out with reason which can be depended and challenged, at the same time.
He said that 132KV transmission line from Kotri to Thatta grid stations spanned some 400kms and passes through Kohistan which was a wind corridor.
The oceanic winds carry with it salt which corrodes copper lines thus collapsing these in no time.
However, PML MNA Syed Ayaz Ali Shah blamed Hesco’s inability in handling the situation.
He contended that he would stand with people if power failure continued.
Consumers said that complaint centres in Thatta never respond.