Gas crisis aggravates

Rawalpindi : The residents of Rawalpindi are braving severe cold weather without gas as Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Ltd (SNGPL) has completely failed to control the crisis.

Majority of localities in the garrison city are deprived of gas since start of December, and the chilly weather has aggravated the problems because SNGPL is observing around 20 hours of gas loadshedding and the only time gas is available in the city is from midnight till 5 a.m.

“This season is quite tough for us as earlier the gas loadshedding was minimal and we usually get low gas pressure but now, there is no gas and we are deprived of it for almost 20 hours. We will get up after midnight and cook food,” said Munir Mughal, a resident of Arya Mohallah.

Atif Irshad, a resident of Muslim Town was of the view that in some areas gas was available while rest of the localities were deprived it. “Why is SNGPL maintaining step-motherly treatment with us,” he questioned.

“The government seems to be oblivion to the problems faced for Pindiites. The government should ensure that all areas get gas for at least thrice a day when people have to cook food,” said Manal Khan, a resident of Sadiqabad.

On the other hand, Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) Senior General Manager (Rawalpindi Region) Muhammad Zahoor who was continuously giving policy statements from day one said that steps were being taken to ensure uninterrupted gas supply. “Many projects of gas supply have been completed and several others are in progress. Gas supply will be smooth in some days,” he assured.