CNG stations to remain open seven days a week

SNGPL has exempted CNG stations from one-day closure in Punjab due to shortage of petroleum products following floods.

LAHORE: Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) has exempted Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) stations from one-day closure in Punjab due to shortage of petroleum products following the worst floods in the country’s history, a notice said on Monday.

Following the notification issued by SNGPL general manager, corporate and sales, all CNG stations throughout Punjab remained operational.

The notification said: “In view of heavy floods in the country, it has been decided by the federal government not to observe gas holidays in the CNG sector during the current week as well as next week.”

However, the notification said “the weekly gas holiday will resume after August 29.”

An SNGPL spokesman said the decision was taken in the larger interest and to provide relief to consumers. He hoped the situation would improve by the start of September, when rivers would calm down and supply of petrol would be restored. All Pakistan CNG Association (APCNGA) has welcomed the decision, saying it would not only provide relief to the CNG business but would also help consumers, who are buying expensive fuel due to the shortage of petrol. The decision would remain in force for two weeks, it said.

“APCNGA has been demanding exemption from the one-day closure,” APCNGA Punjab Chairman Raja Anwer said. Punjab, especially the flood-hit areas, is facing acute shortage of diesel and petrol and motorists are left with no option but to use CNG.

People said they have been searching for petrol to run their vehicles but now at least they could use CNG. “I have had to use a motorcycle instead of my car because of non-availability of CNG and petrol,” said a banker, Saeed Ather, adding he had bought petrol to run his motorcycle for Rs90 per litre recently.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 17^th, 2010.