The unannounced suspension of gas supply to the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) stations is creating serious problems for transporters and commuters alike, as gas supply to CNG stations remained suspended for the 5th consecutive day in the Potohar along with other regions of Punjab.
Long queues of vehicles were seen at both the petrol pumps and gas stations in twin cities. According to a survey conducted by Business Recorder, CNG stations were to reopen on Sunday in Rawalpindi/ Islamabad, but the closure was extended owing to low gas pressure ensuring uninterrupted gas supply to the other sectors. Following the closure of CNG stations, petrol pump owners were facing petrol shortage, saying that the consumers have increased the consumption of petrol after gas shortage. Petrol pump owners expressing serious concern said that petrol shortage will intensify in the country if the government did not resolve CNG issue.
The people while talking to Business Recorder urged the government to restore gas supply to CNG stations or reduce the price of diesel and petrol so that they could easily use their vehicles with limited resources. They urged the government to minimise the problems of masses and arrange for government transport, which is within the reach of common man.
They said the Public Service Vehicles (PSVs) fares are fixed in accordance with the fluctuations in CNG prices, so with no CNG most of the PSVs remain off the roads.
"I am unable to understand as to why the government is treating so harshly the people of Punjab as gas supply to industry and CNG stations remained suspended for the whole week. There is no gas load-shedding in Khyber Pakhtunkhawa (KP) but in Punjab there is a three-day gas suspension for CNG stations and five days for industrial sector," Mohammad Rafi a PSV operator said.
He said most of the PSV owners in the twin cities during the gas load-shedding period went up to Hasanabdal an adjacent area of KP with the Rawalpindi district to refill their vehicles with CNG. The people of Lahore, Multan and Potohar regions were facing difficulties in travelling as most of the public transport went off the roads due to CNG closure.
Meanwhile, Sui Southern Gas Company has announced that it will enhance duration of gas load-shedding for the CNG stations from 48 hours a week to 72 hours. "This step is being taken by the gas utility to improve the 'line pack position' all over Sindh, which was badly affected due to short supply of gas from different gas fields, causing depletion of line pack and low pressure in the system," a spokesperson disclosed.
As per official documents, CNG sector is consuming about 327 Million Cubic Feet (mmcfd) per day out of total national gas production of 4,238 mmcfd. As per official figures there are 3,400 CNG stations in the country and around 3.6 million vehicles are running on the said fuel.
The government is collecting Rs 36.34 per kg on its sale, which includes over Rs 12 per kg on account of Gas Infrastructure Development Surcharge (GIDS), Rs 13.25 per kg on account of Gas Infrastructure Development Cess (GIDC) and Rs 11.08 on account of General Sales Tax. CNG as a fuel is being used by over 90 percent of the Public Service Vehicles (PSV) which includes taxis, vans, mini buses, rickshaws and buses. The sector is paying around Rs 70 billion taxes to the national kitty annually.