The government, keeping in view the problems being faced by the commuters, has allowed transporters to use Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) in public transport up to March 15. Earlier, the ministry of petroleum has banned refilling/use of CNG cylinders in public transport vehicles on January 4 following CNG cylinder blasts in the public transport vehicles (buses/vans), but the ban was soon lifted after violent protest by the public on January 15.
The ministry then allowed public transporters to continue using CNG until 15 February. According to Petroleum Ministry sources, the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority in collaboration with other stakeholders has prepared regulations for use of CNG cylinders in buses/vans. The government would finalise the decision with regard to use of CNG by public transporters after approval the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra).
The All Pakistan CNG Association (APCNGA) has assented to the proposal that Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) chips would be installed at CNG stations for monitoring faulty cylinders and kits. Moreover, APCNGA has initially established 100 sites for testing faulty CNG kits and cylinders.
APCNGA and transporters assured the Ministry that they would fully cooperate with Ogra, Chief Inspector Explosives (CIE) and Hydrocarbon Development Institute of Pakistan (HDIP) for on-spot checking. It was also agreed that relevant departments including Regional Transport Authority (RTA) would not issue any route permits/fitness certificate to non-tested vehicles.
Both the APCNGA and transports' associations have agreed that standard CNG equipment, testing procedures to be adopted and testing fees would be charged accordingly, so that CNG consumers /commuters are facilitated and their precious lives are saved. According to the recommendations of the CNG Task Force all the cylinder and kits should be checked by diploma holders and APCNGA has assured the government of its full co-operation.
As many as 12,000 trained persons would be required for checking of faulty CNG cylinders and kits and at present a total 2,000 diploma holders were available in the country. In case of diploma holders' shortage people with minimum 5 years relevant experience would be sent for Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority (TEVTA) and after getting necessary training they would work at CNG Stations to ensure safety regime. The Task Force has recommended that only approved testing equipment would be used at public and private testing centers which would operate under Government guidelines.