SIALKOT, Jan 14: Work on 46-kilometre long gas pipeline network on Sambrial-Sialkot Road and 15-km long pipeline network towards the Sialkot Export Processing Zone at a cost of Rs80.5 million has started.

This was stated by Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Ltd (SNGPL) managing director Abdul Rashid Lone at a meeting with business community at the Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Monday.

He said provision of gas in the EPZ would help increase exports from the city. Besides, about 4,000 residents of Gohdpur, Muradpur and Khanpur would benefit from the project, he added.

He assured them that efforts were being made to improve gas distribution system and address complaints of low pressure in the city. An eight-inch diameter pipe would be laid for the purpose, Mr Lone added.

He hoped that the plan would be completed before the winter season was over.

He said 15,000-metre long eight to 10 inch diameter pipeline would be laid in the district at a cost of Rs43 million in the next fiscal year. More than 4,000 new gas connections would be given after the completion of the project in 2003.

Mr Lone said more consumer services centres would be set up to redress consumers complaints regarding wrong billing and gas leakage.

He urged the business community to use “Advance Payment Scheme” to avoid wastage of their precious time.

He said the SNGPL was facing 20 per cent financial loss in the district annually due to gas leakage, theft and tampering of meters. A majority of tea stalls, bakers and confectioners were involved in such cases.

He said action has already been ordered against the company’s officials involved in the malpractice.