RAWALPINDI, Dec 28: Various localities controlled by the Rawalpindi Cantonment Board have been hit by hours of gas outages and low-pressure supply since the start of the winter season.

The affected areas include Shah Faisal Colony, Shah Khalid Colony, Fazal Town, Butt Market and settlements along the railway track.

Residents told Dawn that gas loadshedding was usually done from 4pm to 10pm in the evening and 6:30am to 10am in the morning, the hours when the utility was most needed for cooking and heating.

They added that even when there was no loadshedding the gas pressure was very low, quite insufficient for cooking or heating. They said in winter gas bills usually spiked, making it almost impossible for the low-income groups to pay the same.

According to them, they have time and again filed complaints with the concerned officials for rectifying the situation, but the latter only responded with apathetic attitude.

They regretted that despite the fact that the affected areas were located very close to some of the most posh neighbourhoods, they were deprived of such a basic necessity of life.

The dwellers pointed out that nowadays a separate gas pipeline was being laid along the Airport Road, probably for the localities having concentration of influential people.

The area people said they were thinking of returning to their hometowns if they continued to suffer in such a way.

According to them, power outages were also disrupting their routine life activities.

The gas suspension has also greatly perturbed the Naanbais and others whose businesses run on the facility. The Naanbais said it was a routine matter for them to face low gas pressure and loadshedding in winter, despite paying inflated bills.

The affected residents urged the concerned quarters to end the gas loadshedding and improve its pressure so that they could get through the winter without any trouble.

This reporter tried to get the version of the concerned department but no official was available to offer comments.