NAWABSHAH, Dec 15: The rapidity with which compressed natural gas (CNG) kits are exploding and claiming the lives of people and putting many lives at risk is because of the negligence of relevant authorities to check and test 'gas filling pressure' and 'soundness of cylinders'.

A survey by this correspondent revealed that the absence of Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority's (Ogra) representation in many instances and people's habit to violate rules and regulations, were to be blamed for such, otherwise preventable, episodes.

Majority of stations violate and fill the CNG in vehicles at the pressure of 225-250 bars as against the approved level of 200 bars. Similarly, filling stations also ignore the mandatory check-up of gas cylinders installed in vehicles.

A CNG kit dealer, on the request of anonymity, said that majority of people in this trade violate the standard operating procedures (SOP) and sell substandard CNG cylinders - either repaired or smuggled ones from neighbouring countries.

Customers too, he said, don't bother to get their kits tested and hardly one or two out of a hundred think of the risk involved. But they too get disappointed because of the absence of a laboratory here.

A visit to most of the CNG filling stations revealed the irresponsible attitude of both, customers getting their cylinders filled and people filing it thus putting at risk the lives of commuters.

Local and smuggled cylinders are like live bombs as these are inferior in quality. Instead of risking lives one should ensure lifetime safety by getting their cylinders periodically checked at the Hydro Carbon Institute of Pakistan (HDIP).

Authorities appear to have turned a blind eye to the issue by avoiding checking CNG cylinders. Besides, absence of an authority in district headquarters to carry out checks and get implemented Ogra rules and regulations was adding to this problem.

Shaheed Benazirabad and adjoining districts were bereft of a lab similar to the HDIP which could check the quality and expiry of CNG cylinders fitted in vehicles.

“The CNG is a high pressure gas for which especially designed and fabricated seamless cylinders manufactured in accordance to prescribed standard should be used in vehicles,” instructs Ogra.

Worried consumers have demanded of the petroleum minister and Ogra chief to take notice of defiance and get its rules and regulations implemented for the safety of commuters.