LAHORE – Gas pressure in the city remained low on Saturday causing problems for consumers while in some areas, supply was completely suspended. Consumers criticised the Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) saying that the company has failed to provide gas to domestic, industrial and commercial users.
They said that there is no problem in availability of gas but the company has failed to manage the situation. The weather has changed in recent weeks declining usage of gas but even then there is no gas for domestic users. Gas pressure remained low in Gulberg, Model Town, Faisal Town, Garden Town, Shadman, Wahdat Road, Rehmanpura, Muslim Town, Allama Iqbal Town, Johar Town, WAPDA Town and other areas.
“Cold weather has nearly ended but even then there is no gas for preparing meals,” said housewife Shazia Nawaz adding that earlier the SNGPL held the cold weather responsible for shortage of gas but now there is no such condition. “Usage of heaters has declined sharply and consumption dropped but even then there is no gas for homes at all,” said consumer Farhan Masood adding that the government should do something or next year’s winter would be more horrible.
Another consumer Jamila Ather said that she is using kerosene oil for cooking meals, which is very expensive. “Gas pressure was restored some two days ago but once again there is no pressure,” she lamented. CNG stations also faced problems and in many areas, CNG stations stopped sales owing to low pressure.
“There was no gas and we have to close our CNG station,” said station manager Siddiq Khan at Johar Town. Siddiq said that his business suffered badly due to gas shortage. Industries manufacturing paper, glass, ceramics, plastic and others are using alternative fuels in the recent gas crisis.
“We did not get any gas at all during the whole winter but even then there is no gas for domestic users,” said an industrialist adding that the government should check competence of the SNGPL if it wants to save consumers from a worst crisis in the coming winter.
