SSGC says supply improves after induction of 45 MMCFD from two gas fields; cooking at home difficult
KARACHI:
A severe gas crisis continued to affect the metropolis on Tuesday as both residential and industrial consumers faced acute shortages due to ongoing gas leakage by the Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC).
Gas supply remained suspended in a large number of areas including Landhi, Baldia Site, Orangi Town, Liaquatabad, PIB Colony, Jahangir Road, Buffer Zone, North Karachi, Keamari, Lyari, Saudabad, Old City Area, Saddar, PECHS, Gulshan-e-Maymar, Korangi, Malir, Model Colon-ey, Gulma, Nazimabad, Surjani Town, Shah Faisal Colony, Gadap, Kathore, Lines Area, City Railway Camp, Sultanabad and several others. locations.
Despite the widespread shortages, the SSGC claimed that the situation in the city was gradually improving. A spokesman for SSGC said gas supply had started to stabilize after the company started receiving 15 million cubic feet per day (MMCFD) of gas from certain fields. The spokesman added that gas would be supplied in accordance with the requirements of the company’s franchise areas.
The spokesman further stated that a day earlier the utility had faced a deficit of 45 MMCFD from two gas fields. However, sources said that SSGC was currently facing a gas shortfall of around 30 MMCFD.
Due to the prolonged crisis, gas outages, which were previously limited to night hours, have now also been extended to daytime hours. Citizens complained that despite spending billions of rupees on laying new gas pipelines across the city, the SSGC has failed to ensure adequate supply at the required pressure.
Affected residents have demanded immediate action by the government against the SSGC, saying prolonged gas emission has made it difficult to cook at home. As a result, business at hotels and restaurants has increased.
Consumers pointed out that while gas release from 22.00 to 06.00 was already in place, irregular supply during daytime hours has further aggravated their problems. The gas suspension has caused difficulties for households, food businesses, milk vendors and sweetmeat and confectionery manufacturers.
Some consumers also claimed that a shortage of artificial gas was being created to push people towards using liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) instead of natural gas.
