Stoves run out of gas in Rawalpindi

Extremely cold weather

Rawalpindi

The tall claims by the concerned authorities for improvement in gas supply have dashed to the ground as there is absolutely no respite for public from low to zero gas pressure amid an extremely cold weather.

Gas is not even available for cooking purposes and most of the households resort to old methods of burning wood, coal or purchasing costly LPG from distributors.

The residents of Rawalpindi are facing acute shortage of gas which speaks volumes about the inefficiency of the concerned authorities of the Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) in providing a basic facility without any interruption and problem.

The problem of gas shortage persists in almost every locality of Rawalpindi, including Lalazar, Dhamial, Tench Bhata, People's Colony, Tahli Morri, Dheri Hassanabad, Harley Street, Dhoke Juma, Morgah, Kotha Kalaam, Chamanzar Colony, Tipu Road, Satellite Town, Asghar Mall, Saidpur Road, Sixth Road, Sadiqabad, Muslim Town, Kamalabad and Mughalabad. However, despite hue and cry, the SNGPL authorities are not taking practical steps to mitigate the problems to provide relief to people.

On the other hand, there is no problem of gas shortage in posh localities.

The gas problem is occurring in Rawalpindi despite the closure of CNG stations and introduction of LNG.

Due to severe gas problem, people are experiencing multiple of problems. Children arrive in schools without having breakfast, men go to their offices with an ampty stomach and housewives facing enormous pressure in this situation when their household chores remain incomplete.

Due to the problem which is occurring for many years in the winter season, people have no other option but to use firewood and coal to cook food. Many consumers have opted to buy kerosene stoves and gas cylinders. While a large segment of people has installed gas compressors in their houses. Similarly, a major chunk of people is utilising the services of devices to get gas in their houses.

The SNGPL, which made tall claims of launching a drive against consumers who have installed compressors, has done nothing practically so far and the rest of the people are suffering badly.

The residents of the gas shortage-hit localities condemned the SNGPL officials for their failure in resolving the issue of gas shortage.

On the other hand, a high official of the SNGPL, Rehan Hashmi, admitted the fact that severe shortage of gas is persisting and people would continue to face it till the end of the peak winter season. He said that the problem of gas shortage is occurring because of increase in demand in the freezing cold weather. “We are failing to fulfil the requirements of people which is 3,000 ccmf per day. Out of this total demand, the SNGPL is managing to supply only 1,000 ccmf. 

Rehan Hashmi told this scribe that with the import of LNG only 200 ccmf supply has been increased which is still insufficient to meet the daily demands of people. He said that the prevailing situation would persist till the end of winter season.