Energy crisis: Rickshaw drivers protest at gas closure

Expectant drivers turned away from CNG stations at last minute.

BAHAWALPUR: Rickshaw drivers staged a protest at Dubai Chowk on Wednesday against the federal government and CNG station owners. They blocked the road for more than five hours and burnt tyres.

The protesters said that Sui Northern Gas Pipeline (SNGPL) officials had announced that they would supply CNG for 24 hours from Wednesday 6am to Thursday morning, so stations would be open for business.

However, the officials had backed down from the commitment on Wednesday morning. Hundreds of rickshaws and other vehicles had lined up at the CNG stations across the city, only to be told at 6am that no gas was available and they should go away.

Angry protesters, mostly rickshaw drivers, blocked the road Dubai Chowk and shouted slogans condemning the government, SNGPL and CNG station owners.

They said the government had “made fun of the poor”. They burnt tyres and damaged public property.

Traffic on the road remained suspended for more than five hours. Staff at the CNG stations covered their premises with tents and placed hurdles outside, fearing that the protesters would vandalise property.

Muhammad Sajjad, a resident of Muhammdia Colony, told The Express Tribune that he had been stuck in traffic for three hours and had missed his class.

Rickshaw driver Akram said that since CNG was not available, drivers were forced to use petrol. This meant they also had to charge their customers higher rates, but not all of them were willing to pay or could afford to. This had affected his earnings, he added

Drivers who run rickshaws on lease said they were not earning enough money to feed their families and meet other daily needs, let alone pay off the lease for their rickshaws.

The protesters dispersed after five hours.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 3^rd, 2013.