Gas shortages make life miserable

HYDERABAD:

As winter sets in, the ongoing gas shortage in Hyderabad has worsened, leaving residents, especially women, frustrated. The situation has become dire, with both weekdays and weekends witnessing frequent gas cuts and low pressure, disrupting daily routines. Despite public outcry, political leaders have only offered lip service, with no solutions in sight.

For the past several months, residents of Hyderabad have endured low gas pressure and unannounced shutdowns, but the problem has aggravated with the onset of colder weather. In densely populated areas such as Latifabad and Qasimabad, gas supply is suspended from 9pm to 6am. During the hours when gas is available, the pressure is so low that it is barely usable. Moreover, unlike in previous years, gas cuts now affect holidays as well.

The lack of a stable gas supply has led many residents to turn to alternative sources, such as LPG cylinders, for cooking. However, this is not a viable option for everyone, especially in a time of rising inflation. Many are forced to queue at local tandoors and restaurants during the day and night, paying for roti and saalan. Surprisingly, commercial consumers, including large eateries, continue to receive uninterrupted gas supply at full pressure, raising concerns of inequity in the distribution system.

Local residents have also been hit by the knock-on effects of gas shortages. Geysers in homes have been rendered useless, with many households resorting to using wood or LPG cylinders to heat water. The ongoing disruptions have also exacerbated the city's ongoing electricity load-shedding and insufficient piped water supply, further complicating life for the residents.

According to a report, gas supply on Friday was interrupted several times: after being restored at 6am, it was shut down again from 9am to 11am, and once more from 2pm to 5pm. Tariq Rasool, Chairman of UC 134 TMC Hussainabad, has formally written to the Zonal Manager of Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC), urging swift intervention. In his letter, Rasool highlighted the ongoing gas outages in areas like Town's Block A, Wasim Colony, Akbarabad, and Gulshan-e-Zohaib in Latifabad Unit No 5, among others. He stressed that there is no gas theft in these areas, and bills are being paid regularly.

Despite these concerns, there has been little action from the SSGC. MQM-Pakistan MNAs Syed Waseem Hussain and Professor Engineer Abdul Aleem Khanzada have condemned the gas shortages, particularly in Qasimabad and Latifabad, describing the situation as unbearable for residents. They pointed out that the most vulnerable groups, particularly the poor, have been the hardest hit. In many areas such as Latifabad Units 4, 6, 8, and others, gas has been shut off, forcing families to rely on expensive meals from local restaurants. Women, in particular, have been facing severe hardships. The lack of gas has made everyday cooking a struggle, and many families have had to resort to using LPG cylinders, which have become increasingly unaffordable. Mothers have expressed concern that their children are suffering from various illnesses caused by eating food from outside, and are often forced to send their children to school without a proper breakfast. Even basic tasks like making tea have become impossible due to the low gas pressure.

The MQM-Pakistan lawmakers have called on the government to take immediate action and restore the gas supply to these areas. They have demanded that the SSGC address the ongoing disruptions and take concrete steps to ensure that residential consumers are treated equitably, especially during the winter months when the demand for gas is at its highest.

Despite countless complaints from citizens and political representatives, there has been little relief in sight. As the winter chill deepens, the residents of Hyderabad continue to struggle with unreliable gas supplies, and their patience is wearing thin.