Low gas pressure continues to haunt Pindi

Rawalpindi : All claims of Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) regarding provision of natural gas to domestic consumer round the clock in winter this year proved to be hollow as around 80 per cent areas remained from low to zero gas pressure from October, 2017 to January, 2018 here in garrison city and areas of federal capital, Islamabad.

On the other hand, SNGPL is providing full pressure gas to other 20 per cent people settled in posh or cantonment localities round the clock.

The 80 per cent localities only get gas at dawn (early morning) from 4:00 am to 6:45 am. In some areas SNGPL provides natural gas from 12:30 am to 2:00 am in the night when 90 per cent families are asleep.

Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) Senior General Manager (Rawalpindi Region) Muhammad Zahoor told ‘The News’ that they never close any valve in any area. “Stoves run out of gas because majority of consumers use ‘gas sucking compressors,’ he said. We have launched crackdown against the gas defaulters as company has recovered Rs4 billion out of total Rs10 billion. We are continuously up gradation of system to provide full pressure gas even in winter, he hoped.

Gas pressure in most localities of garrison city and adjoining rural areas was zero which irked citizens day and night. The worst affected areas included Adiala Road, Pirwdahi, Khayaban-e-Sir Syed, Munawar Colony, Gulistan Colony, Naik Alam, Mohanpura, Waris Khan, Bangash Colony, Fauji Colony, Chungi No.22, Lalazar, Dheri, Tali Mori, Tanch Bhatta, Sadiqabad, Muslim Town, Dhoke Kala Khan, Millat Colony, Banni, Amar Pura, Bakra Mandi, Dhoke Syedan, Kartar Pura, Shah Khalid Colony, Tipu Road, Raheemabad, Nadeem Colony, Chamanzar, Dhoke Ratta, Dhoke Mangtaal, Mukha Singh Estate, Morgah, Kotha Kalan, Scheme No-III, Garibabad, Dhoke Kashmirian, Qasim Market, Range Road, Jhanda Chichi, Tehmaspabad and areas inside the cantonment. On the other hand from October 2017 to January 2018, Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) dealers took big advantage of the situation and looted public with both hands. In September, 2017 1-kilogram LPG was sold at Rs75 to Rs80 but in January 21, 2018 1-kilogram LPG is being sold at Rs150.