RAWALPINDI: Zero gas pressure in different localities of Rawalpindi forced the people to go for alternative sources including firewood and coal to keep their kitchen running and warm themselves in chilly conditions.

The prices of firewood, on the other hand, have also seen a surge with wood being available at Rs150 per kg and coal at Rs100 per kg at Astabal Road near Novelty Cinema and Kumhar Road at Gawalmandi.

PML-N leaders, however, claimed that the issue of gas shortage will resolve in a week or two.

But the residents blamed the government for their miseries.

Muhammad Idrees, a resident of Dhoke Hafiz, said they faced zero gas pressure from morning until late in the night.

“Women who are not used to cooking with firewood, somehow managed to cook meal using firewood and coal,” he said.

Mohammad Zaheer, a resident of Committee Chowk, said: “Gas pressure in Kohati Bazaar area, Shamsabad, Saidpur Road and College Road is better, because ruling party leaders reside there who managed to get new supply line before the start of winter season.”

Another resident, Raja Danish, said the government had failed to cope with the energy crisis, as electricity loadshedding in summer and gas loadshedding in winter had become a routine.

“Earlier, CNG stations used to be held responsible for low pressure. Now, faulty supply lines were blamed for zero gas pressure. Basically, poor management has caused the gas shortage,” he said.

When contacted, former MNA Malik Shakil Awan said the ruling party was aware of low gas pressure in different localities of Rawalpindi, but assured that the gas supply would improve in a week or two.

“Sui Northern Gas Pipelines officials have assured me that they will soon increase the gas quota for Rawalpindi city. It will end the complaints of gas shortage in different areas,” he said.

He said that the government had directed the SNGPL to lay additional supply line from I.J. Principal Road to Asghar Mall which will increase the gas pressure in the city area. “The work will start from today (Thursday),” he said.

He admitted that mostly residential areas in NA-55 were without gas for long hours and he blamed the faulty supply lines for this. “The supply lines according to SNGPL laid in 1957 and it became rusty and need replacement,” he said.

On the other hand, SNGPL officials blamed increasing demand and supply gap for low pressure.

“Gas consumption increases in the winter season as people use gas heaters, geysers and stoves from morning to night,” said an official of the SNGPL.

Published in Dawn, December 14th, 2017