In view of the gas crisis and rising incidents of CNG cylinder blasts, the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) has decided to launch a drive to wipe out hundreds of CNG stations operating in residential areas.
At present, over 3,000 CNG stations are operating in the country and majority of them are located in residential areas.
Sources said OGRA on Monday had decided to serve notices on such CNG stations. This move would lead to the closure of the CNG stations across the country.
OGRA would issue notices to CNG stations near mosques, schools and hospitals in residential areas and seek explanations as to under which policy these outlets were established and what measures they had taken to ensure safety of the people. Sources said OGRA had decided to suspend the licences of these stations if they failed to satisfy the authority.
OGRA has already directed all transport authorities to launch a crackdown on vehicles fitted with uncertified CNG or LPG cylinders. In May, OGRA imposed a ban on vehicles in which CNG cylinders were fitted beneath the seats and disconnected gas connections of 22 CNG filling stations on charges of violation. However this ban did not apply on vehicles with CNG cylinders fitted on roofs.
Sources said OGRA had also proposed to the Petroleum Ministry to put curbs on the use of CNG in private vehicles and limit the use of CNG to public transport.
The regulator said courts had also taken notice of the loss of lives and property in such incidents and OGRA had requested chief secretaries, transport secretaries and inspectors general of all provinces to take action against uncertified CNG cylinders installed under seats and the people involved in installing dubious CNG kits and fittings.
As part of its energy policy, the PML-N led government has decided to phase out CNG sector to divert gas to the power sector for overcoming energy crisis. The Petroleum Ministry has already proposed to bring CNG prices at 85 percent parity of petrol to discourage its use in auto sector. However, the government has still to take the final decision.
“The CNG sector in Pakistan uses over 300 million cubic feet (mmcfd) gas per day; whereas the government also needs to focus on captive power plants which, being inefficient, result on gas wastage,” an official said, adding that this sector used 450mmcfd gas which the National Accountability Bureau had termed a criminal act.
“The government should impose a ban on provision of gas to new villages on political grounds till the discovery of new gas reserves,” official added.
OGRA shifts its policies from time to time. why the CNG stations were allowed to operate till today.
this is totally a neglegency on the part of OGRA. As OGRA was the main authority to issue NOC to these CNG stations. Why OGRA issued NOCs? now when billion of rupees have been invested by the people in the form of CNG station owners and kitts installed in thousands of vehicles, billion of forign exchange used for all this activity, such proposals by Ogra and PML Govt at this stage is suprising.Such decisions are totally childesh and its better to think on reallities.
Must be effectively at action.Moreover CNG Cylinerds must also be checked passed by OGRA authority.Old ones be removed from the market at once.
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