Hyderabad's energy woes disrupt businesses

Industrialists demand urgent action on low gas pressure, load-shedding, inefficient service delivery

KARACHI:

Industrialists and traders in Hyderabad have expressed grave concerns over critically low gas pressure, load-shedding, and air in gas lines.

With the onset of winter, gas pressure has plummeted across industrial, commercial, and residential areas of Hyderabad—the second-largest city in Sindh after Karachi. Both industrialists and traders have criticised the poor performance of Sui Southern Gas Company Limited (SSGCL). Additionally, they complained about the inefficiency of the Hyderabad Electric Supply Company (HESCO), which subjects them to six to eight hours of daily power load-shedding, even in winter. Frequent faults, outages, and prolonged shutdowns under the guise of grid station repairs exacerbate frustrations, they said.

Hyderabad Chamber of Small Traders and Small Industry (HCSTSI) President Muhammad Saleem Memon highlighted the significant challenges industries face due to low gas pressure and load-shedding. These issues, he said, are disrupting production timelines and compelling industries to shut down or relocate to other provinces, particularly Punjab.

Speaking during a reception held in honour of SSGCL's Regional Head for Hyderabad, Muhammad Akram Qureshi, at the chamber's office on Wednesday, Memon also pointed to delays in obtaining new gas connections and meter installations. He noted that many applications have been pending for months or even years. He urged SSGCL to improve customer service, citing numerous complaints about staff behaviour. He called for uninterrupted gas supply to ensure industrial productivity and economic growth.

Sikandar Ali Rajput, Convener of the Sui Southern Gas Affairs Sub-Committee, praised SSGCL for promptly repairing a 1,100-meter-long gas pipeline at SITE Hyderabad at HCSTSI's request. However, he criticised the complex gas billing system, which causes stress and confusion among consumers.

In response, SSGCL Regional Head Qureshi announced the formation of a joint liaison committee to address gas-related issues. He stated that 85% of gas pipeline repairs in Hyderabad have been completed, with the remaining work expected to finish in two months. He revealed that 174kms of gas pipelines have been laid in Hyderabad at a cost of Rs565 million. However, projects such as the installation of 8-inch gas pipelines in Hirabad and other areas are delayed due to pending road-cutting permissions from local authorities.

Qureshi clarified that while the government imposed restrictions on new domestic gas connections in November 2021, these do not apply to industrial connections. He assured that steps are being taken to resolve issues such as low pressure and load-shedding, particularly at night. However, he stressed that night-time load-shedding for domestic users is unavoidable due to a 30% decline in gas production in Sindh and Balochistan in recent years, as Karachi's industries must be prioritised.