KARACHI: LPG business thriving sans safety measures
By Ali Hazrat Bacha
KARACHI, Dec 14: Like many other daily use commodities, the sale of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) has also been continuing in parts of the city without fulfilling legal requirements and safety measures, thus posing a serious threat to lives and properties of the people.
After the government’s decision to ban smoke-emitting vehicles in the city, the LPG business is thriving with the opening of new sales outlets especially in slum areas, where CNG filling stations are not available.
In many areas smuggled Iranian LPG is also being sold. During visits to Orangi and SITE towns, it was observed that the shopkeepers have fixed their own prices from Rs38 to Rs40 per kilogram. And due to the government’s apathy, these LPG dealers and shopkeepers are openly fleecing the masses.
The Iranian LPG is sold out at Rs30 to Rs35 per kg, which is said to be a little bit thicker and considered good for domestic use, but not so effective for vehicles. It was also said that some of the traders were selling it by mixing it with local gas and thus looting the consumers.
Besides use of decades’ old rusted cylinders is also an issue that needs immediate government attention. An official at the Sui Northern gas department, when contacted, told that the shopkeepers were supposed to keep a first aid box with all necessary medicines, three buckets full of sand and safety cylinders, water, etc.
He said that the government officials were duty bound to visit the shops and check whether the requirements had been fulfilled or not.
