CNG kits/cylinder inspection, enforcement of safety standards: Task Force established

The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources has established a Ministerial Task Force to develop a viable plan for the inspection and enforcement of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) kits/Cylinder in public service and private vehicles to protect the lives of passengers.
The task force is headed by Joint Secretary Ministry of Petroleum with Director General Hydrocarbon Development Institute of Pakistan (HDIP) as secretary; representatives of Ogra, Explosives, Motorway Police, RTAs and UN Disaster Risk Consultant are members.
This decision was taken in a meeting here on Thursday with Mohammed Ijaz Chaudhry Secretary Petroleum in the chair. Ijaz said that the purpose of the taskforce is to evolve an inspection and enforcement regime to ensure safety of CNG kits and cylinders installed in public transport and private vehicles.
The meeting decided that private vehicles would be inspected annually and Public Service Vehicles (PSV's) after every four months. After the cut-off date Motor Vehicle Examination (MVE's) will not certify vehicle having untested cylinders and RTA shall not grant route permits to vehicles having untested cylinders. Damaged, expired and non-approved cylinders shall be seized by the police and correct placement/location of Cylinders in PSV's shall be decided by Ogra and use of multiple cylinders shall be banned.
The Task Force has recommended that refuelling procedure and site safety at CNG pumps shall be ensured by Chief Inspector Explosives (CIE) and Ogra. Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) chips would be implanted on tested cylinders and scanned prior to refuelling.
The Task Force has already conducted detailed interactions with Interior Ministry, District Administrations, Provincial Governments, Traffic Police and various other stakeholders including Ogra, CNG and Transport Associations. Ministry has requested Provincial Chief Secretaries to indicate locations/premises in all districts for establishment of CNG testing stations by Director General Hydrocarbon Development Institute of Pakistan (HDIP). Moreover, the Ministry of Professional and Vocational Training has been requested to arrange for diploma courses through collaboration with NAVTEC and Provincial Technical Education & Vocational Training Authorities (TEVTA) to provide technical training to produce skilled manpower who would be deployed at all CNG Stations and Testing Centres.
The matter of bursting cylinders and the need to safeguard precious human lives is being given top priority and daily report regarding actions being taken are submitted by the Task Force to Minister and Secretary Petroleum and Natural Resources.