Rawalpindi
The gas pipeline work in Fazal Town (Phase-I) remains unfinished even after the passage of over five months prompting complaints from residents over the shabby treatment they say they have received. The half-finished job has affected even the marriage ceremonies in the area including preparation of meals and that in chilly winter season.
A few days before August 14, one morning a blast had damaged many houses demolishing front walls and front lawns of houses and injuring some as a result of the leaking gas pipeline passing through the nullah with its top paved over. Luckily, there was no life loss.
The explosion had been caused by an accumulation of gas in the top-paved nullah believed to be methane (sewage gas) that had emanated from sewage in the nullah coupled with the gas leaking from an aging gas pipeline.
Several departments i.e. TMA, SNGPL, Iesco, Civil Defence, area police, Rescue 1122 immediately reached the scene. Some TV channels and newspapermen also came.
Residents were told by the visiting PMLN representatives, that first the paved top of the nullah would have to be broken up by the TMA guys for cleaning up the accumulated garbage and for laying open the rusted gas line going through it for repairing gas leak point.
“After the TMA crew had finished its work, the SNGPL guys carried out the work to replace the old gas pipeline. The street was dug up, the work was carried out, the new gas line was laid down, and then came the Independence Day weekend holidays and the SNGPL crew never returned.
“After making lots of round to SNGPL good officials, ultimately they sent welding and testing teams to complete the work. They came thrice to the area at big intervals and tried to finish the work but shortage of gas pipelines blocked the work as their release from the Pirwadhai Dockyard was slow enough. We just want to know when the work will get finished,” says Aamir from the area.
Remembering the trouble the residents had to face, Hafiz Muhammad Ahmad, an inhabitant of the street said: “For weeks we had no access to our driveways and each time we got home from work the holes seemed bigger and wider. They blocked access to our houses, not clearing up the mess and leaving large holes unfilled, which the area residents plugged on self-help basis. Some still remain unplugged.”
Shamim Iqbal, an ex-army man says: “One night, I lost control of my bike and crashed after riding over loose chunk of the filled-up hole. I couldn't see well what I hit because it was night-time and it was enough to knock me off my bike.”
“A few layers of clothing and an impact-absorbing roll that I half-jokingly credit to my army training cushioned my fall. I scraped my right arm during the initial impact. When I instinctively put out my left arm to break the fall, I badly bruised my wrist. Thankfully, my trusty helmet didn't come into play,” adds Shamim.
“After utility companies rip up the streets, they're supposed to restore them,” says Razia Begum, who lives there. "If anything needs to be addressed and it's our safety issue. Law requires utility companies to ensure safety where they dig up the street whether the fix is permanent or temporary,” adds Razia. SNGPL team was back at the scene two weeks ago to finish the work bur the shortage of gas pipeline obstructed the work again.
