KWSC launches citywide safety net initiative for manholes

KARACHI, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 11th Jul, 2026) In a landmark step aimed at enhancing public safety and preventing tragic accidents, the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation (KWSC) has launched a sustainable initiative to install high-strength safety nets beneath manhole covers across the city.

The project is designed to provide an additional layer of protection, particularly for children and pedestrians, in the event of damaged, displaced, or stolen manhole covers.

Mayor Karachi and Chairman KWSC, Barrister Murtaza Wahab, visited Tariq Road to inspect the pilot installation, where the first safety net has been successfully installed and tested. The specially engineered safety net is capable of bearing a load of up to 180 kilograms, ensuring a strong and reliable safety mechanism beneath the manhole cover.

Speaking on the occasion, the Mayor said that the successful pilot project marks the beginning of a phased citywide rollout. He announced that KWSC would install these safety nets beneath manholes across Karachi in different phases, prioritizing high-footfall areas and locations vulnerable to public safety risks.

“We have successfully tested the pilot project at Tariq Road, and the results are highly encouraging. This initiative is not merely an engineering solution, it is a commitment to protecting human lives. Our objective is to ensure that no child or citizen falls victim to such preventable tragedies in the future,” he said.

Barrister Murtaza Wahab emphasized that the initiative reflected the city’s resolve to learn from past incidents and adopt permanent, sustainable solutions instead of temporary measures.

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He said that such tragedies must never be repeated.

“We have witnessed painful incidents in the past that shook the conscience of the entire city. We owe it to our citizens to ensure that such accidents do not occur again. This project is a practical and long-term solution that will significantly improve public safety,” he added.

The Mayor further stated that Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari had expressed serious concern over incidents involving open manholes and had directed the authorities to devise a comprehensive and sustainable solution to safeguard citizens. He noted that the implementation of safety nets is a direct outcome of those directives and demonstrates the city’s commitment to prioritizing public welfare.

During the inspection, Mayor Karachi directed KWSC Chief Executive Officer Ahmed Ali Siddiqui to expedite the implementation process and begin large-scale execution across the city without any unnecessary delay. He stressed that all requirements should be completed promptly so that the initiative can benefit residents at the earliest.

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Ahmed Ali Siddiqui briefed the Mayor on the technical aspects of the project, explaining that the safety nets have undergone successful load testing and have been designed to function as a reliable secondary barrier beneath manhole covers. He said the project will be implemented in phases, with priority given to areas where pedestrian movement is high.

Chief Operating Officer Asadullah Khan and other senior officials of KWSC accompanied the Mayor during the visit.