Thousands of litres of diesel spills into DHA after pipeline By bursts

KARACHI: Thousands of litres of diesel leaked from a six-inch diameter pipeline of the National Refinery Limited (NRL) near Khayaban-e-Sahar in Phase VI of the Defence Housing Authority (DHA) early Thursday.

As the worn-out pipeline burst at around 4am, it created a total mess for the residents, causing groundwater contamination and air pollution in and around the adjacent areas.

Sindh Environmental Protection Agency (Sepa) officials said they dispatched a team of experts to review the situation. Citizens complained itching of eyes and throat. Some people left their homes due to a fear of fire and health hazards.

“A Sepa team monitored the broken pipeline from which thousands of litres of diesel flew into the adjoining areas,” a Sepa official said, adding that staff of the relevant refinery was directed to immediately control the situation and repair the pipeline on an urgent basis.

He said the pipeline, which leads from Keamari to the Korangi Industrial Area at the refinery's plant, ruptured near Khayaban-e- Sahar in the DHA Phase 6.

According to a conservative estimate, nearly 50 to 60 thousand litres of diesel leaked from the pipeline.

On the directives of Advisor to CM Sindh on Law, Environment, Climate Change and Coastal Development Barrister Murtuza Wahab, a Sepa technical team, headed by Deputy Director South Abdullah Magsi, visited the location to monitor the situation. According to official, the flow of diesel from the pipeline has been controlled to a great extent.