RAWALPINDI: There has been no improvement in the low gas pressure in various areas of the garrison city. The supply of gas was affected at the start of winter and Sui Northern Gas Pipelines (SNGPL) is yet to come up with a solution to increase the pressure of natural gas in the city and cantonment areas.

A senior SNGPL official told Dawn the old and rusty supply pipelines have leaks and need to be replaced. He added that these pipes were laid some 40 years ago.

Chaklala Cantonment Board (CCB) Vice President Raja Irfan Imtiaz said residents of the cantonment areas had been complaining about the low gas pressure for the last two months.

“When contacted, SNGPL said they were laying new supply lines from the Cantt areas and required no-objection certificates from the National Highway Authority (NHA) and CCB,” he said.

Mr Imtiaz said the NHA had already given the NoC and that the CCB will also issue it soon.

“The CCB cantonment executive officer was transferred and another appointment has not been made which is why the matter has been pending,” he said.

The disruption in gas supply has gotten worse so that school going children have to go to school without breakfast.

A resident of Gulistan Colony, Salman Chaudhry said residents have to use LPG, coal or wood. SNGPL General Manager Chaudhry Zahoor could not be reached for comment.

Published in Dawn, December 28th, 2017