Karachi is facing a severe gas crisis as the cold wave persists, forcing many residents to rely on the expensive alternative – liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).
As per media reports, the local residents believe that unannounced gas load shedding becomes more frequent with the onset of winter, worsening the crisis.
Media reports revealed that Sui Southern Gas Company – SSGC’s aging gas distribution infrastructure is partly to blame, with leaks in the network contributing to low pressure.
To address this, SSGC is carrying out major rehabilitation work on its 2,500 km distribution network, particularly in densely populated areas like North Nazimabad, North Karachi, and Lyari, which has disrupted gas supply in some areas.
As a result of the gas shortage, LPG sales have been surged in Karachi with Vice Chairman of the All Pakistan LPG Marketers Association, Muhammad Ali Haider, reported a significant increase in LPG consumption, with demand rising from 12 to 16-17 tonnes per day.
The spokesperson of SSGC noted that local gas reserves had dropped by 40 percent this financial year, further contributing to the supply issues.
According to the spokesperson, the purpose of pressure profiling is to maintain linepack for good pressure the next day and manage/use a safe amount of natural gas used during cooking hours.
Source: Dawn
