13,816 new gas connections provided to consumers in Islamabad Region
By Hina Kiyani

ISLAMABAD—The Sui Northern Gas Pipeline Company Limited (SNGPL), Islamabad Region has so far provided 13,816 new gas connections to its domestic, commercial and industrial consumers in first six months of current financial year.
We have provided 13,567 new connections to domestic, 221 connections to commercial and 28 connections to industrial consumers from July to December 12, 2006,” General Manager, SNGPL, Islamabad Region, M. Ismael Paracha said in an interview here on Friday.
He informed that the company has set a target of 29,630 new domestic, commercial and industrial connections in the region during current fiscal year and expressed the confidence to achieve the target within stipulated time. About low gas pressure, he said the company has increased pressure from its Rawat and Nogazi reservoirs to ensure uninterrupted gas supply on standardized pressure to all the consumers.
“We have expedited up-gradation work of valve assembling besides enhancing the diameter of main gas pipelines in this regard,” he added.
The General Manager said the concerned officials of the company are available round the clock to address the complaints.
This year, the company has made special arrangements to deal with problem of low gas pressure. The measures include increase in the gas pressure from Rawat, Nogazi and Runnial reserves while up-gradation of valve assembling.
About low gas pressure in some areas of Rawalpindi, he said the nazimeen of these area were approached to determine the factual position. He said no complaint was registered by the consumers in these areas adding, “We approached the nazimeen of the area and they informed us that there was no complaint of any low gas pressure.”
They also confirmed that neither there was interruption in gas supply in these areas, nor any complaint of low pressure, he added. Ismael Paracha also appealed all the consumers to take a special care and adopt all the precautionary measures whilst using gas in the winter season.
He advised the people to open at least one window of a room during use of gas heaters and do not use rubber pipes.
The gas appliances of good quality should be used, adding, a trained plumber should be called to rectify gas leakage.
The consumers should desist from using the electric fan or exhaust fan in case of leakage of gas and keep opened the windows. He also asked the consumers to switch off the heater before going to bed to avoid any untoward situation.