All Pakistan CNG Association (APCNGA) has urged the government to strictly ban the use of LPG as fuel in public transport due to increasing incidents of cylinder blasts in the public transport vehicles. Ghiyas Abdullah Paracha, Central Chairman APCNGA told Business Recorder that use of LPG as fuel in the public transport is the reason behind blasts which continue unabated despite a ban imposed by the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA).
Ghiyas Paracha recalled that on December 26, 2013, the OGRA amended LPG rules 2001 and banned installation of LPG cylinders in motorcycles, scooters, public service vehicles including three-wheelers, buses, coaches and wagons terming it illegal. However, the ban was never implemented by the concerned agencies which are equally responsible for the loss of life and property of the masses. "Motorway Police, Traffic Police, Transport Authorities and District Administration are responsible for stopping these practices but they prefer to be part of the designs of transport mafia that use LPG for petty monetary gains", Paracha alleged.
Comparing LPG and CNG as fuels, Paracha pointed out that LPG is heavier than air, therefore, it causes an explosion if leaked while CNG is lighter than air therefore it finds its way out of the vehicle preventing any incident. Moreover, CNG kits have to be altered to make it compatible with LPG which is very dangerous therefore it must be discouraged.
He noted that apart from APCNGA, the LPG Association has repeatedly voices against the increased smuggling of substandard LPG which is not only damaging local industry but also resulting in incidents.