LAHORE: As temperatures have started dropping in Lahore, various parts of the city are experiencing gas load management due to increased domestic consumption and the diversion of gas to industries during night hours.

Complaints about low gas pressure, particularly in tail-end areas, are rising with the falling temperatures. Domestic consumers have criticised the government for gas load-shedding and demanded an uninterrupted supply.

“We never experienced gas loadshedding in our area before, as the gas is supplied from main lines close to our locality. However, with the recent drop in temperature, we are now facing regular outages,” a resident near the Fazaia Housing Scheme on Pine Avenue told Dawn on Friday.

According to him, gas load-shedding is occurring daily from 9am to 12pm, 3pm to 6pm, and 9pm to 6am, as per the Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) complaint officials.

Another consumer from Shalamar reported similar timings for gas load management in their area, adding that some residents are using gas compressors to artificially increase pressure, which lowers it for others.

“The SNGPL must act against such practices by disconnecting the connections of those using compressors,” the consumer demanded.

Reports of gas shortages have also emerged from Harbanspura, Shadman, Gulberg, Garden Town, Garhi Shahu, the Walled City, Multan Road, Marghazar Colony, Lake City and other areas. However, the situation appears to be better in some blocks of Johar Town, Iqbal Town, Canal Road, Chuhng and Shahdara.

“We usually have gas from 6am to 9am and from noon till night. However, the pressure often drops in the evening for unknown reasons,” said a resident of Johar Town.

When contacted, an official source in the SNGPL dispelled the impression, claiming that the situation is much better than the last year. “This winter, according to our information, is going smooth so far as the number of complaints are not much as in last year,” he said and added that the gas load management is being observed for night hours (10pm to 6pm) in a bid to divert supplies to industry. Similarly the load management is being carried out for few hours in day especially the time when there is no cooking.

He said another factor is the extraction of gas through compressor by the consumers which is not only a dangerous act but also deprives others from gas. The official said the company teams are not only taking actions against the compressor users but also making all out efforts to supply gas to consumers most of the time.

Published in Dawn, December 15th, 2024