OGRA, others put on notice: Use of CNG kits & substandard cylinders in public transport
Petitioner sites recent accidents across the country.
KARACHI:
Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) and other respondents were put on notice by a division bench of Sindh High Court here on Friday in a petition against installations of substandard gas cylinders and use of Compressed Natural Gas kits in public transport vehicles.
The bench comprising Chief Justice Mushir Alam and Justice Ahmed Ali M Sheikh earlier heard counsel for the petitioner NGO, United Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, and ordered issuance of preadmission notices to all respondents for a date to be fixed later by the office of the court.
The petitioner citing the accidents across the country maintained that owners of public transport in order to maximize their profits are getting the substandard or low quality cylinders fitted in their vehicles. These vehicles are poorly maintained and thus gas system is susceptible to leakages. Citing the ministries of petroleum and natural resources, communication, law, Science and Technology, Chairmen of Ogra and PSCQA as respondents, petitioner NGO maintained that under law all the respondents are bound to ensure safety and security of citizens of Pakistan who are exposed to dangers by public transport owners/operatives.
Seeking an interim order, the petitioner prayed to court to direct the Ogra and other authorities to stop filling of cylinders other than allowed by Ogra to avoid fatal accidents.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 17th, 2011.
Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) and other respondents were put on notice by a division bench of Sindh High Court here on Friday in a petition against installations of substandard gas cylinders and use of Compressed Natural Gas kits in public transport vehicles.
The bench comprising Chief Justice Mushir Alam and Justice Ahmed Ali M Sheikh earlier heard counsel for the petitioner NGO, United Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, and ordered issuance of preadmission notices to all respondents for a date to be fixed later by the office of the court.
The petitioner citing the accidents across the country maintained that owners of public transport in order to maximize their profits are getting the substandard or low quality cylinders fitted in their vehicles. These vehicles are poorly maintained and thus gas system is susceptible to leakages. Citing the ministries of petroleum and natural resources, communication, law, Science and Technology, Chairmen of Ogra and PSCQA as respondents, petitioner NGO maintained that under law all the respondents are bound to ensure safety and security of citizens of Pakistan who are exposed to dangers by public transport owners/operatives.
Seeking an interim order, the petitioner prayed to court to direct the Ogra and other authorities to stop filling of cylinders other than allowed by Ogra to avoid fatal accidents.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 17th, 2011.