LAHORE: The Punjab government is going to introduce technology-based measures, and small cylinders to avoid accidents during decanting of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG).

The decision to this effect was taken during a meeting held in the aftermath of Khurianwala cylinder blast.

According to official sources on Tuesday, the authorities concerned decided to have the safety measures adopted in collaboration with the federal government, Ogra (Oil and Gas Regulating Authority), LPG associations and LPG marketing companies.

They decided to seek from Ogra the list of pending applications for registration as authorised manufacturers of LPG cylinders, also asking the authority to finalise the pending 15 or 16 cases of such registration.

It was also decided that standard operating procedure (SOP) for the installation of LPG kits in public service vehicles and for filling LPG in them. Proposals in this regard would be invited from all concerned, and the federal government and Ogra.

The LPG Cylinder Manufacturers Association and LPG Association of Pakistan would be asked to identify different sites for petrol pumps and CNG stations, with the coordination of explosives department, where the Skid Mounted Systems could be installed as a pilot project in Lahore. The information should be minute containing site map and detail of equipment.

The filling skids are equipped with all valves and instruments required to fill cylinders with the highest accuracy, safety and efficiency, and provide technology based solution to risky gas filling.

Both the associations would be asked to introduce a uniform logo, trade mark or emboss on the standardised cylinders manufactured by them for identification, making it easy for people to separate the genuine from the substandard cylinders.

LPG Association of Pakistan, LPG marketing companies, CMA were asked to introduce small sizes of cylinders having two, three, four and six kilogram capacity in the open market at reasonable prices. Their observations will be discussed with Ogra.

They recommended that Lahore commissioner, deputy commissioner and LPG associations and LPG marketing companies should meet at the earliest to withdraw substandard cylinders from the open market, curb illegal decanting and discuss allied matters.

The transport department was also directed to provide a comprehensive, suitable and workable solution to avoid cylinder blast incidents in public service vehicle to save valuable lives of people.

Published in Dawn, August 2nd, 2017