OKARA: The Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) seems indifferent to certain localities of the Okara city and district that are facing low pressure of gas.

Dawn learned localities such as Model Housing Society, Master Park, Amir Colony, six main city blocks, Seth Colony, Sabri Colony, Samadpura, Samanabad, Garden Town, Shadman Colony, Basti Rehmatpura, Rehmatullah Town and Chaudhry Colony had been facing brownouts since the inception of the winter season.

The problem turned out to be blessing for LPG dealers as the gas consumers had to buy cylinders at inflated rates. In December, LPG was sold at Rs120 per kilogramme (kg), which is now being sold at Rs135 per kg.

Other than LPG cylinders, some consumers managed low gas pressure by using a compressor, a motor which sucks gas from the main pipeline and increases the pressure.

The SNGPL authorities have taken no action against the compressor users.

SNGPL District Manager Zafar Mehmood said they had not received any complaint of low gas pressure from any part of the district.

Some SNGPL employees, however, said the gas pressure was intentionally kept low as the full pressure would blow up the old, rusted pipeline.

Dawn leaned the SNGPL staff would cut gas pressure on Tehsil Road, Faisalabad Road, near level crossing No 2, and at some points of GT Road.

The consumers of Depalpur tehsil, Renala Khurd and other small towns have also been facing brownouts.

Published in Dawn, February 3rd, 2017