Rawalpindi's NA-62 faces gas crisis as govt halts project after 80% completion

Residents tormented due to unavailability of piped gas in winter

RAWALPINDI: As the project to provide full pressure gas to 27 union councils is left incomplete, the constituency of NA-62 faces a dire gas crisis.

The project was initiated by the last government but has been left incomplete since the past six months after 80 per cent of its completion. Citizens are in a state of torment due to unavailability of gas in the winter season.

Meanwhile, former MNA of Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N), Malik Shakeel Awan has decided to reach out to courts to resolve the issue.

He said that the government should bring people out from this situation and place the plaque of whosoever they like.

Pakistan may suffer worst gas crisis in coming years

According to the project, an eight-inch wide pipeline was brought from the area of Joharr Chowk in Cantt by the previous government which was linked to 27 union councils. The inner areas and streets were also linked with the main pipeline.

Six Town Border Stations (TBS) were established while still three are remaining.

The railway acquired a government crossing fee Rs100 million against its land crossing which was later reimbursed. However, the main line was supposed to pass through the bridge at the railway workshop road but the term of the government ended which put a break on the progress of the project.

The citizens demanded that the government complete this project early so they could get rid of the difficulties they were facing due to the unavailability or low pressure of the gas during the winter season.

While speaking to Express News Malik Aiwan said that political differences should not become a hindrance in the projects which are beneficial to the public. He further demanded that the government swiftly complete the remaining 20 per cent of the work on the project or else he would reach out to court to present the case of the masses.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 19^th, 2019.