Industrial units and CNG stations: SNGPL to suspend supply for unlimited period

Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Company Limited (SNGPL) has decided to suspend supply of gas to industrial units and the CNG stations here for unlimited period in order to meet the burgeoning winter demand for domestic consumers. Sources said that new schedule of SNGPL regarding load management is expected to be announced on Monday.
Chairman All Pakistan CNG Association Punjab Chapter Fayyaz Gilani told Business Recorder that they didn't get any notification in this regard. They were conveyed about this decision by the SNGPL officials verbally. On the other hand millions of domestic consumers of SNGPL spent another day without gas and electricity Saturday.
The low pressure of gas badly hit the routine life in the provincial capital. There was no gas available for cooking in various areas especially Shahdra, Green Town, Town ship, Thoker Niaz Beg, Faisal Town, Johar Town areas, Icchra and Mozang.
Gas shortage stood at 900+mmcfd which was effecting all the CNG stations, industry and domestic consumers, an official of the company on condition of anonymity said. He said the domestic consumers of Jehlum, Sialkot, Faisalabad were also facing the problem of gas shortages.
"We have least gas pressure for cooking meal at our hotel," a hotel owner Naveed told this scribe. There was no gas for cooking at my home and we had bought food from hotel Friday night, a resident of Canal View said. Gas shortage at homes forced people to take to streets in various areas of the city. The protest demonstrations were held in Township and Chungi Amrsiddhu areas where the protesters holding banners and placards chanted slogans against the SNGPL authorities and burnt gas bills. They also surrounded the town-based gas stations and blocked the traffic.
On the other hand, Managing Director Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited Rashid Lone said due to increasing demand by domestic sector during winter, gas pressure may occasionally be decreased any time. Therefore, domestic gas consumers are requested not to use gas heaters; use geysers from 6 am to 10 am; and cook from 6:30 to 8:30 in the morning and to observe the same timings in the evening. He added that keeping on mind the safety of consumers, it is imperative that all gas appliances should be turned off immediately after use and in order to avoid any unfortunate incident, all main gas levers should also be turned off before going to bed.