Crackdown on vehicles with large gas cylinders begins

Official says they can be hazardous in summer as risk of explosion rises

RAWALPINDI:

Rawalpindi Deputy Commissioner Hasan Waqar Cheema has issued a directive for an immediate crackdown on individuals operating public transport vehicles, including wagons, minibuses, taxis, rickshaws, hiace, and coasters, using large gas cylinders instead of conventional petrol or diesel.

He directed all officials concerned to confiscate all transport vehicles if they violate the order and register cases against the drivers. He said that commercial large gas cylinders in public transport vehicles has been strictly prohibited.

District Officer of Civil Defense, Talib Hussain, has expressed concerns over the potential hazards posed by large gas cylinders in vehicles, especially during the summer when the risk of explosion due to heat increases. This poses a significant threat to public safety and may result in loss of lives.

Consequently, an operation targeting all public transport vehicles has been initiated, starting on Friday (today). Two teams within Civil Defense have been mobilised to conduct operations at various locations, including Kacheri bus stop, Rawat, Saddar bus stops, Pirwadhai General Bus Stand, Faizabad Bus Stand, and Peshawar Mor Bus Stand. These operations will continue henceforth.

According to sources, the Special Branch Police have submitted a report highlighting the presence of two to three large commercial gas cylinders installed in vehicles for transportation purposes from Rawalpindi to various destinations such as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Lahore, Sialkot, Gujarat, Faisalabad, surrounding tehsil areas, and particularly the hilly areas of Murree, Kotli Sattian, and Kahuta. These cylinders have been strategically placed underneath vehicle roofs or even under passenger seats, filled with gas. Once one cylinder is depleted, another is activated to ensure uninterrupted supply. However, it is imperative to note that if one cylinder ruptures, it could trigger a chain reaction, endangering all installed cylinders and leading to further casualties. Immediate action is therefore necessary to address this critical issue.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 9^th, 2024.