Gas supply to all CNG stations was resumed here on Tuesday as Sui Northern Gas Pipeline Limited (SNGPL) witnessed only 400 MMCFD gas shortfall as compared to 740 MMCFD earlier. Sui Northern Gas Pipeline Limited had made three groups of CNG stations and was supplying gas turn-by-turn to these stations but due to reduction in demand followed by improved weather conditions, the gas utility started supply to all CNG stations.
Talking to Business Recorder, sources revealed that the total injection of gas in SNGPL system was 1800 MMCFD against the demand of 2200 MMCFD on Tuesday with a shortfall of 400 MMCFD. They said that due to improvement in weather condition in Multan and Lahore regions, the demand of gas had declined to 2200 MMCFD that earlier stood at 2550 MMCFD. The input of gas in SNGPL system was 1810 MMCFD whereas the peak demand was 2550 MMCFD with a shortfall of 740 MMCFD.
The gas utility is giving top priority to domestic consumers and has made cluster of other consumers to provide gas. Sources said that SNGPL had stopped gas supply to Independent Power Producers (IPPs) for power generation purposes and they had been converted to furnace oil as alternative arrangements to generate power.
Despite resumption of gas supply to CNG stations, long queues, of vehicles were seen on CNG stations in twin cities, Rawalpindi and Islamabad. Out of about 250 CNG stations operational in Rawalpindi and Islamabad, more than 150 were not supplying gas to motorists, due to gas shortage on Monday. The pressure of gas remained very low.
The operational CNG stations were unable to cater for vehicles and recent hike in gas prices was another blow to consumers who switched to petrol that was still costlier despite the reduction in global oil prices.
At present, there is little difference between CNG and petrol prices and the government should further reduce the petrol price to create the atmosphere of competition between CNG and petrol products that would ultimately facilitate consumers, said Asim, a customer. Cab drivers took full advantage of the situation and commuters had no option but to pay high fares to reach their destinations.