Gas load-shedding, low pressure inconvenience Swat

LPG prices have been raised by Rs20 per kg as people have no choice but to use it as a substitute.

MINGORA: As the air in Swat turns biting cold, gas load-shedding has become a prickly nuisance, adding to the list of inconveniences faced in winter.

“Winter has just arrived and gas has disappeared from our area. This has starting happening every year now,” said Akbar Allam, a resident of Rang Mohallah.

According to locals, the load-shedding occurs for more than 14 hours a day. “The supply is disconnected at six in the morning and is resumed at 10 at night which means we cannot cook food on gas stoves. If we cannot use it for cooking and household chores then what use is it?” Minhajuddin Khan, a resident of Saidu Sharif, complained to The Express Tribune.



Loacals also complained about low gas pressure, another persistent issue in Swat.

“Before severe load-shedding, we constantly faced and still face low pressure during peak hours, said Iftikhar Khan, a resident of Afsarabad. “Now we face gas load-shedding when we need it most and low pressure the rest of the day.”

On the other hand, prices of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) continue to soar, giving consumers little wiggle room. Rates of LPG per kilogramme have been increased to Rs160 by the dealers, possibly in response to the spike in demand.

“I had a heated argument with the LPG dealer today as he increased the rates to Rs160 per kilo from Rs140,”shared Zahoor Khan, a resident of Saidu Sharif.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 11^th,2013.