The All Pakistan CNG Association (APCNGA) has rejected the government decision to restrict CNG stations for refuelling public and commercial transport vehicles. According to the letter issued by the Oil & Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra), the APCNGA has been directed to immediately stop refuelling of public transport vehicles--buses, cars, wagons, vans, etc--where cylinders are installed beneath the passenger seats, or on rooftop.
The Authority in its letter also warned the CNG industry that the licences of CNG stations would be cancelled where the station is found violating the refuelling procedure/standard code of practice appended with CNG Rules, 1992. Reacting on the said development, all CNG station owners went on strike to express resentment over the said restriction. The APCNGA in this regard was of the view that this ban has shown clear intentions of government to rollback CNG industry.
It further said although APCNGA is keen to cooperate in checking of such vehicles at CNG stations and, for the purpose, a massive vehicle checking campaign has already been launched in 40 major cities of the country, the government, instead of facilitating the CNG sector, is busy in announcing unfriendly policies, causing harm to this multibillion industry.
The association said it is obvious that only one percent vehicle owners are showing reckless attitude to follow the required procedures but the government is penalising all CNG population, which has now reached up to 4.5 million vehicles. Moreover, it said this decision would not only create problems for public transporters but would also make transport problem more severe.