Decanting of LPG goes unchecked in Rawalpindi

Rawalpindi

The local administration has failed to check and stop the illegal business of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) in Rawalpindi city. Large numbers of gas refilling shops are not following the safety measures and putting the lives of citizens at risk.

Number of shopkeepers who are doing this illegal business can be seen in Bhatta, Dhoke Syedan, Committee Chowk, Peoples Colony, Adyala Raod, Chakri Road, Dheri Hassanabad, Lalkurti and in Saddar Bazaar. LPG decanting from one cylinder to another using electric motors is prohibited but, the practice is continuing due to absence of monitoring by the authorities concerned.

As per rules LPG sale point is only allowed to sell the gas in form of cylinders, but owners of LPG outlets often decant the gas illegally, making it a dangerous practice which is risky not only for their lives but also for the other people who are living nearby these shops.

According to the rules mentioned in law, LGP sale point cannot be set up in the basement of a building, on or near a footpath, a hotel and at public place besides LPG shop should also have a fire-fighting system in place but all these rules are not being followed.

It is also mentioned in the rules that LPG shop can be set up along a 20-foot-wide road to allow a fire brigade vehicle to reach the sale point in case of an emergency. A proper exhaust system should also be ensured at all LPG shops.

Each gas outlet must install a board, mentioning the names of the shop, its proprietor and the price of LPG. The electrical wiring of an LPG shop or outlet should be according to the set procedures. Despite having set of rules to run LPG business one can witness large number of shopkeepers who are openly violating the rules because of the negligence of concern authorities.