CNG cylinder issue: transporters' strike enters third day

Public transporters continued their strike in the twin cities of Rawalpindi/Islamabad for the third consecutive day on Saturday against ban on installing more than one CNG cylinder in their vehicles, which added to the woes of commuters.
The administration on Wednesday launched a campaign against transporters to limit the number of CNG cylinders in their vehicles just to one, following the decision of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) that public transport vehicles should have only one CNG cylinder. The strike crippled the life in the twin cities, making it difficult for the commuters to reach offices and homes in time. People, especially office-goers, were seen waiting at bus stops, as the public transport vehicles were not available.
Talking to Business Recorder people from different walks of life expressed concern over the strike of transporters, saying that it was a good decision of the government to save precious lives due to explosions. They said transporters have increased fares several times in the recent past on the plea of increase in CNG and POL prices coupled with gas load shedding.
"We are happy with the government move to restrict the installation of CNG kits to one in each vehicle," said Akhtar, a passenger waiting at Aabpara bus stop. He said many precious lives have been lost in cylinder explosions during last few months and it was necessary for the government to take preventive measures in this regard.
A Hiace driver expressing anger over the government decision to restrict CNG kits and the standard of checking, said three days a week gas supply remain suspended to CNG stations and it is not possible for public transport owners to run with one cylinder. Furthermore, there is only one laboratory of Hydrocarbon Development Institute of Pakistan (HDIP) in Islamabad to check CNG kits. Cylinder checking not only requires time, but they also charge Rs 2,200 for checking of one cylinder, said the driver, adding that if the kit was found unfit/substandard, they cut it into pieces instead of returning it back. Therefore, they are reluctant to get their CNG kits checked, he maintained.
Public transporters strike irked the commuters in the twin cities, as they had to wait for hours at bus stops in the absence of public transport. Due to strike, passengers remained stranded in large number at every bus stop in scorching heat. Taking full advantage of the strike, taxi drivers doubled the fares. Passengers going to their offices/homes or other destinations have no other option but to hire taxis at inflated fares.