Rawalpindi
The Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) has failed to fulfil its claims regarding an improvement in supply of gas at normal pressure in Rawalpindi from February 15.
In complete contrast to SNGPL claims, the majority of localities, including Adiala Road, Munawar Colony, Defence Road, Dhama Syedan, Dhoke Juma, Dhoke Kalhoor and several other areas, are still facing zero gas pressure round the clock.
The residents of affected areas have announced protest demonstration on February 19 (Friday) after Juma prayer against SNGPL.
It is worth mentioning here that the concerned authority has allowed opening of compressed natural gas (CNG) stations in Rawalpindi while majority of localities are facing zero gas pressure in homes even in pleasant weather. A number of CNG stations are opened here in different areas in Rawalpindi.
The Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) General Manager (Rawalpindi Circle) Muhammad Zahoor said that a special team has been constituted to boost up gas pressure in affected localities.
Earlier, he had claimed that supply of gas will improve from February 15 due to improvement in weather.
The residents of affected areas are still using expensive Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) to cook meals while some are compelled to use firewood as fuel for cooking. The poor residents could not buy kerosene oil as the dealers and retailers selling 1-liter commodity at Rs100 to Rs105 against Rs43.
On the other hand, the ‘tandoor’ owners find the opportunity to overcharge the residents as people thronged to get loaves following zero gas pressure.
“In our locality, we have been facing zero gas pressure making it difficult for us to perform routine work in time and sometime we send children to schools without breakfast”, Manzoor Ahmed, a resident of Munawar Colony said. He said that they have decided to start protest demonstrations from Friday and could even stage a protest rally in front of the Parliament House.
