Low to zero gas pressure crisis worsening for domestic consumers

Rawalpindi

Unfortunately, gas crisis is worsening day-by-day for domestic consumers, as SNGPL has failed to provide gas even at scheduled timings. The students and office-goers go without breakfast every morning due to zero gas pressure, but concerned authorities seeing the whole drama with closed eyes.

More than 50 per cent ‘Tandoors’ here at Adiala Road, Arya Mohallah, Defense Road, Sher Zaman Colony, Tench Bhatta, Jan Colony, Tali Mohri, Gulistan Colony, Javed Colony, Chamanzar, Raheemabad, Nadeem Colony and Sadiqabad have shut down their businesses due to zero gas pressure. Others are using expensive LPG or firewood to run their set-ups.

The domestic consumers of Mumtaz Market, Dhama Syedan, Ali Town, Hill View, Munawar Colony, Jarahi, Kehkashan Colony, Gulshanabad, Kalyal, Shahpur, Jorian, Maira, Rasoolabad Sharif, Dhoke Imam Din, Iqbal Town, Ashraf Colony, Gulshan-e-Saeed, Lalazar, Dhamial, Bank Colony, Hayyal, Bunda, Nagyal and suburbs have been facing great difficulties due to zero gas pressure for months. They have complained that SNGPL is sending gas bills in routine but not providing them natural gas.

People claimed that majority of posh areas having full pressure of gas and God knows better where this pressure was coming. The angry residents told ‘The News’ that government has provided LNG only to CNG stations rather providing it to domestic use. “Government making us fool by saying that they are doing much to provide public with natural gas,” Majid Hussain, a resident of Adiala Road, said.

Mutahidda Naanbais Welfare Association (MNWA) President Muhammad Shafiq Qureshi said that more than 50 per cent ‘Tandoors’ have closed their businesses due to gas crisis, while a few remaining are using expensive LPG and firewood.

Ayesha Khurram, a housewife, said that there is no gas in my stove even to prepare a cup of tea for my schoolgoing children. “How I could bear this situation when my children are going school without taking breakfast,” she said. She said that it was difficult to survive in this situation where there is no electricity in summer and no gas in winter season.

Muhammad Shahzad, a resident of Arya Mohallah said that where were SNGPL officials in summer season and why did they not improved gas pressure in summer season. In winter, they have started giving statements to improve gas pressure, he said.

SNGPL General Manager (Rawalpindi) Muhammad Zahoor has admitted that consumer of some of localities facing low gas pressure. He said that we are trying to boost up gas pressure even at tail-end localities but it takes time to do so.