Low gas pressure, load shedding make life difficult in Multan

The people of Multan continue to face low gas pressure and power outages while the cold wave persists in the area compelling the people to minimise their outdoor activities. The gap between demand and supply is also continuing and, on Monday it was 2,300 megawatt in peak hours and 1,000 megawatts at other times.
Officials in Pakistan Electric Power Company (Pepco) said that the gap would continue till the situation of water improved in the reservoirs. They said that on Saturday, 3,000 more water had been released from Tarbela, as a result of which Pepco had given relief to the textile sector and reduced one-hour power outage to the industry. However, textile industry is still facing 5-hour electricity load-shedding, from 5 pm to 10 pm, the officials added.
It is important to mention here that release of water from Tarbela dam was 13,000 cusecs, which was 28,000 cusecs on the same day of last year and in Mangla dam it was 5,000 cusecs which was 22,000 cusecs last year.
Urban areas have been facing 5 hours load-shedding and rural areas 7 hours load-shedding. Multan citizens are also facing low pressure and closure of gas. In many areas of the city, gas consumers found gas absent from their appliances at peak times, especially at night and at breakfast time. Those at the tail end of the SNGPL distribution system are facing more problems than others.
Masoom Shah Road, Gulberg Colony, Gulgasht, Bosan Road, Waqas Town, Chungi No 1, 7, 8, 9, Hazoor Bagh Road, Wilyatabad, Shamsabad areas people are also facing great difficulty in cooking food. A housewife said she is unable to prepare breakfast for her children, "and everyday we have to get breakfast from bazaar".
She said this breakfast is not only costly but is also unhygienic eating on daily basis. The presence of CNG stations in a residential area has also aggravated the problem because, as per SNGPL officials, a CNG station consumes gas of around 50 houses. A senior official of SNGPL said that gas pressure to the domestic consumers has reduced.
Residents of the city have urged the government to ensure smooth supply to the domestic consumers by shutting down industrial units as well as CNG stations across the country. They said the gas supply to all CNG stations operating in the residential areas should be stopped immediately. The residents suggested to the government to switch over big commercial consumers to LPG cylinders.