THE Gujrat accident is another gruesome reminder, whenever there is an accident, every body at the helm of affairs make tall claims that they would plug loopholes in the system and implement rules and regulations in letter and in spirit, but with the passage of time all pledges dies down.

Ever since the diesel prices have gone up, transporters have looked for other options, Coaster and vans have started converting to petrol engines so that they can have cheeper fuel, that is CNG.

For this purpose they buy old and non-compatible engines and then use cheaper substandard cylinders and gas kits, thus risking the lives of passengers without reducing the fares. This has led to many unfortunate accidents. One should not forget the accident of a coaster on the Islamabad Expressway, but unfortunately we do not learn any lesson.

As far as obtaining a fitness certificate is concerned, it is no problem. The vehicle is not even produced for inspection and one gets fitness certificate. The following steps may help in reducing the accidents:

Conversion of diesel to petrol engine should be stopped forthwith. CNG atations should only fill gas in those vehicles which are having factory-fitted petrol engines.

This will not only reduce the number of accidents but will also reduce burden on our natural gas resources, which has increased many times in the recent years.

Moreover, CNG stations should be forbidden from filling gas in such vehicles as are not having cylinder inspection certificate from the Hydro Carbon Institute/Department.

Also, for the safety of citizens of Pakistan the government should consider subsidising diesel rates and ban conversion either way.

Above all accountability, we have a department for everything, may that be vehicle inspection, gas cylinder inspection, quality control or measurement/scales, but rules are not being followed.

KHALID KHAN Islamabad