Gas cut irks different parts of province

QUETTA: Different parts of Balochistan were without natural gas in the piercing cold weather as Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) could not manged to repair damaged pipeline in Jaffarabad.

Unknown men had blown up 18-inch gas pipeline in the Jaffarbad district on Sunday night causing suspension of gas supply to the different parts of the province.

The people of the areas including Quetta, Mastung, Kalat, Pishin and Ziarat had to face the prolonged hours of gas suspension in the extremely cold weather. The people of these areas rely on natural gas in harsh weather as continuous snowfall in Quetta, Mastung, Kalalt and Ziarat had dropped the mercury to -10 degree Celsius.

When contacted, the Chief Manager Media Relations SSGC Inayatullah Ismail told APP that SSGC technical teams have reached the affected site but due to the non-clearance by the authorities concerned, the restoration work was yet to be started.

Giving details about the gas supply and demand in Balochistan, he told that about 125 million cubic feet was the total demand of Balochistan whereas due to the Jaffarabad gas pipeline blast, currently some 95mmcf was available causing 30 mmcf shortfall.

"Efforts are afoot to overcome the crises and ensure gas supply to the affected areas from other means," he said.

The enraged consumers of SSGC in Quetta and other affected areas underlined the need for adopting concerted measures on the part of the SSGC to overcome the gas crises. (APP)