KU paid Rs40mn to SSGC for new pipelines, gas meters

KARACHI: The Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) is going to start installation of gas meters at all the departments, canteens and shops, and staff colony in the University of Karachi. The gas utility providing company would also replace rusted and leaked pipelines at the campus with the new ones, official of the KU said on Wednesday.

According to the official, Karachi University has paid around Rs40 million to the gas providing company for the installation of the meters, replacement of damage and broken lines as well as field survey required to fulfill the task.

The SSGC is likely to start the survey from next week after which it would replace rusted pipeline and installation of gas meter will take place as well.

As per the agreement, the SSGC would also provide a few new connections at Rangers residential units, department of pharmacy and other locations.

As the SSGC has already shared the estimated cost and the KU has paid the due amount, it is expected that project of replacement of pipelines and meter installation would be completed soon.

According to KU Engineering Department, numbers of houses were facing low-gas pressure due to outdated infrastructure as these pipelines were never change or repair in last 50 years.

The SSGC senior General Manager Doctor Ijaz Ahmed and General Manager Sales Aafeef Ahmed and their team are looking after the project which would help the university in saving at least Rs5 million per month.

KWSB fixes KU’s leaked water pipelines

Meanwhile, on the request of the KU Vice Chancellor Professor Doctor Muhammad Ajmal Khan, the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board has completed first phase of replacement of old, rusted and leaked water pipelines at the University.

One of the main water pipelines was leaking from various locations and had flooded the University’s graveyard as well as some other places. The KU VC had discuss the issue with the Managing Director KWSB Asadullah Khan and asked him to resolve the matter on priority which was duly addressed in couple of weeks.

Khan appreciated the MD KWSB role in providing immediate support and expressed that this coordination would continue in future as well.

It is worth mentioning here that KU used to pay Rs11.5 million per month against the water charges till recent past. However, since the installation of six water meters the water bills have been reduced to Rs4 million per month and the University of Karachi is saving around Rs7.5 million in a month.

KE to install meters soon

On the other hand, the K-Electric would soon also start the installation of electricity meters at the Staff Colony as the said matter is in last stages. The meters installation would take place as soon as the power supply company and KU finalise the financial matter.

It is expected that the KU would save around Rs17.5 million per month after the completion of the project.