Pindi cracks down on illegal LPG cylinders

Forest dept enhances monitoring amid rising cases of forest fires

RAWALPINDI:

Following multiple fire incidents in residential and commercial properties due to rising temperatures and electrical short-circuits, the district administration has initiated a crackdown on illegal gas cylinders in passenger vehicles and the absence of fire extinguishers in commercial properties. Recent fires in houses, shops, plazas, petroleum agencies, and factories have been attributed to electrical short-circuits, prompting immediate action from Deputy Commissioner Hasan Waqar Cheema.

Deputy Commissioner Cheema has ordered the removal of illegal gas cylinders installed on the roofs of buses, coasters, and wagons throughout the district. He also mandated action against factories, shops, petroleum agencies, petrol pumps, and manufacturing units involved in paper, plastic furniture, and chemical production for failing to install fire extinguishers.

In a parallel effort, the Rawalpindi forest department has heightened security and monitoring in the four hilly tehsils—Kallar Syedan, Kahuta, Kotli Sattian, and Murree—following a second consecutive fire in Margalla Hills. The department has cancelled the leaves of field staff for two months and strictly enforced a ban on lighting fires during picnics in government forests.

District Officer Civil Defence Talib Hussain reported that officials have started removing three gas cylinders installed on the roofs of each coaster and bus, with the cylinders being confiscated. He emphasised that there is a complete ban on using cylinder gas in public transport. So far, cylinders have been removed from 15 vehicles, and challans have been issued to the drivers.

Moreover, officials have targeted illegal chemical shops and petroleum agencies in various areas, including Adiala Road, Chakri, Pir Wadhai, Fuji Colony, Curry Road, Ghazni Road, and Gunjmandi. During this crackdown, nine agencies were sealed, and their stock was confiscated.

Additionally, 17 paper and furniture shops and factories have been fined.

 Published in The Express Tribune, June 4^th, 2024.