Cold snap, gas crisis deal double whammy to Karachiites

SSGC says supply improving after induction of 45 MMCFD from two gas fields; cook food at home difficult

KARACHI:

A severe gas crisis continued to affect the metropolis on Tuesday, as both domestic and industrial consumers faced acute shortages due to ongoing gas load-shedding by the Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC).

Gas supply remained suspended in a large number of areas, including Landhi, Baldia Site, Orangi Town, Liaquatabad, PIB Colony, Jahangir Road, Buffer Zone, North Karachi, Keamari, Lyari, Saudabad, Old City Area, Saddar, PECHS, Gulshan-e-Maymar, Korangi, Malir, Model Colony, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, North Nazimabad, Nazimabad, Surjani Town, Shah Faisal Colony, Gadap, Kathore, Lines Area, City Railway Camp, Sultanabad and several other localities.

Despite the widespread shortage, the SSGC claimed that the situation in the city was gradually improving. An SSGC spokesperson said that gas supply had started to stabilise after the company began receiving 15 million cubic feet per day (MMCFD) of gas from certain fields. The spokesperson added that gas would be supplied in accordance with the requirements of the company's franchise areas.

The spokesperson further stated that a day earlier the utility had faced a shortfall of 45 MMCFD from two gas fields. However, sources said that SSGC was currently facing a gas deficit of around 30 MMCFD.

Due to the prolonged crisis, gas outages, which were earlier limited to night-time hours, have now extended into the daytime as well. Citizens complained that despite the expenditure of billions of rupees on laying new gas pipelines across the city, SSGC has failed to ensure adequate supply at required pressure.

Affected residents have demanded immediate action by the government against SSGC, saying that prolonged gas load-shedding has made it difficult to cook food at home. As a result, business at hotels and eateries has increased.

Consumers pointed out that while gas load-shedding from 10pm to 6am was already in place, erratic supply during daytime hours has further compounded their problems. The gas suspension has caused difficulties for households, food outlets, milk sellers, and sweetmeat and confectionery manufacturers.

Some consumers also alleged that an artificial gas shortage was being created to push people towards the use of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) instead of natural gas.