Nine LPG outlets sealed for illegal decanting

At least nine outlets and agencies dealing in liquified petroleum gas (LPG) were sealed and six persons arrested for violating the ban on selling the gas to passenger vehicles in Rawalpindi on Wednesday.

The Rawalpindi deputy commissioner (DC) had imposed the ban on using LPG in passenger vehicles after yet another incident of a passenger van being in a fiery accident because of LPG cylinders fitted in it.

A team of Civil Defence, led by senior instructor Nasir Kiyani, conducted snap checks at outlets located on Pir Wadhai Road and surrounding areas. The operation started at 10am and lasted three hours.

As a result, nine illegal cylinder gas agencies and shops decanting gas for public transport vehicles were sealed.

At least fourteen vehicles fitted with gas cylinders were issued challans and confiscated during the operation. At least six people were arrested and cases registered against them.

Several of these outlets were operating illegally, including open spaces and vacant lots as well as small workshops in streets along the main roads.

The passenger vehicles often have multiple LPG cylinders so that it doesn’t necessitate multiple visits to the illegal decanters. These cylinders are highly flammable and have resulted in multiple explosions due to a collision.

Among the vehicles seized during the operation, four cylinders were installed in a wagon. Another passenger bus had six cylinders in layers on the roof.

Civil Defense District Officer Talib Hussain told The Express Tribune that installation of gas cylinder in vehicles has been banned across the district.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 10^th, 2023.