Winter woes: Low gas pressure irks consumers

ISLAMABAD:

Low gas pressure is creating problems for domestic consumers in Islamabad and Rawalpindi.

The gas pressure diminishes in the morning when families have to prepare children for school, complained residents, adding that many have resorted to using liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and firewood. The issue is more severe in some areas than others.

Sehr Bano, a resident of Sector G-6, said the authorities were carrying out unannounced load-shedding in her area. Hameed Gul, a G-7 resident, said he had to buy expensive LPG due to unavailability of gas.

Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited spokesperson Shahid Akram said the low pressure was due to a gap in supply and demand. He said that at least 250 million cubic feet of gas are required to meet the demand.

Another reason for the shortage of gas is that the twin cities are located at the tail-end of the gas network. Akram appealed the public to ‘responsibly’ use gas heaters and geysers.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 26^th, 2014.