Public safety: LPG in substandard kits banned

ISLAMABAD: The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) has banned the use of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) in vehicles equipped with substandard gas kits and cylinders, the authority’s chief told The Express Tribune on Wednesday. “We have imposed a ban on the use of LPG only in those vehicles – be they public or domestic – which are using substandard kits and cylinders,” Ogra Chariman Saeed Khan said.  He denied the regulator had imposed an across the board ban on LPG use in the public transport sector. Ogra has also banned the decanting of LPG cylinders, he added. According to Ogra officials, the decisions have been taken to ensure people remain secure from accidents involving LPG cylinders. Experts say LPG is a more hazardous fuel since it does not mix with air after leakage. It is not economically viable for public use either, they added. At present, only rickshaws use LPG in the public transport sector. Widespread use of the fuel has not materialised due to unstable prices and demand and supply issues.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 17^th, 2014.