Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) Chief Engineer, when contacted by this scribe, admitted that consumers in some localities have been facing low gas pressure for a couple of days. He said that the gas pressure depends on weather, if weather remains cold people will further face low gas pressure in the coming days. He also said that compressed natural gas (CNG) stations are the main reason for low gas pressure in houses. The citizens have expressed grave concerns over gas load shedding and low gas pressure in winter season, which is affecting routine life of the citizens.
The Consumers rejected the plea of SNGPL authorities and said that they are facing low gas pressure during three days of shutdown (from Monday to Wednesday) People demanded of Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Company Limited (SNGPL) and other authorities concerned to take steps for regularising the gas supply in winter season as per instructions of Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf.
The low or zero gas pressure problem is also adversely affecting the commercial activities particularly of 'tandoorwalas' and 'hotels', depriving hundreds of people of their livelihood. People of the affected areas complain that gas completely disappear from 6am to 10am, 1200 to 1400 and 0600 to 0900pm which has become a regular feature since the advent of winter season especially in the month of December. Majority of 'Naanbais' are using firewood to run their business.
"This winter season does not bring joy for us as we cannot enjoy hot food due to low gas pressure," said Aisha Bashir, a housewife. "I use Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) as alternative but this is much expensive and not affordable for me," she added. Khala Amjad, a housewife, said she faces trouble while preparing food for her school-going children in the morning. "I cannot heat up water for my children to wash hand and mouth due to low gas pressure," she said. She expressed resentment over low gas pressure. According to her, people of the area have used all sources to draw the attention of the concerned authorities for getting the problem resolved, but to no avail.
The domestic consumers have not been getting sufficient gas pressure to prepare meals, complained Sarwat Khan. She said that weather is a little bit cold for a couple of days and the concerned authorities are resorting to gas load shedding even for domestic use. "What will happen in the peak winter season," she asked.
Rana Faraz, a resident of Khalid Colony, said though the people are not using gas heaters in their houses and majority of CNG stations are laying closed in the area, yet we are not getting gas with sufficient pressure. Consumers demanded of the concerned authorities to take notice of the situation and take effective measures for smooth supply of gas to domestic consumers.