SSGC says supply improved after induction of 45 MMCFD from two gas fields; cooking at home is difficult
KARACHI:
A serious gas crisis continued to affect the metropolis on Tuesday, as domestic and industrial consumers face severe shortages due to ongoing gas load shedding 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 Town, Saddar, PECHS, Gulshan-e-Maymar, Korangi, Malir, Model Colony, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, North Nazimabad, Nazimabad, Surjani Town, Shah Faisal. Colony, Gadap, Katore, Lines Area, City Railway Camp, Sultanabad and several other places.
Despite the widespread shortage, the SSGC claimed that the situation in the city was gradually improving. An SSGC spokesperson said gas supplies began to stabilize after the company began receiving 15 million cubic feet per day (MMCFD) of gas from some fields. The spokesperson added that the gas would be supplied in accordance with the requirements of the company’s franchise areas.
The spokesperson further said that a day earlier, the utility faced a shortfall of 45 MMCFD from two gas fields. However, according to sources, SSGC is currently facing a gas shortfall of around 30 MMCFD.
Due to the prolonged crisis, gas cuts, which were previously limited to nighttime, have now extended to daytime as well. Citizens have complained that despite spending billions of rupees on laying new gas pipelines across the city, SSGC has failed to ensure adequate supply at the required pressure.
Affected residents have demanded immediate government action against the SSGC, saying prolonged gas load shedding was making it difficult to cook food at home. As a result, hotel and restaurant activity has increased.
Consumers pointed out that although gas load shedding from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. was already in place, erratic supply during the day further compounded their problems. The suspension of gas has caused difficulties for households, food stores, milk sellers and manufacturers of sweets and confectionery.
Some consumers also alleged that an artificial gas shortage was being created to push people to use liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) instead of natural gas.
