RECENTLY a CNG cylinder had burst at a filling station. The cylinder was fitted in a minibus. As a result of the blast, two people lost their lives and many others were injured on the spot. The early morning bang was loud and disturbing, spreading panic in the residential area.

The CNG station is located in a thickly-populated area. Fear gripped the whole area after the blast.

This once again brings forth the debate about the use of substandard cylinders. Many, including commercial users, use these poor quality cylinders.

There is no mechanism at hand to check and control this ongoing practice. Thus, the lives of many people are at risk. Investigators have also highlighted the fact that the kit was substandard.

In Karachi, the Hydrocarbon Development Institute of Pakistan is responsible for issuing a certificate to this end. Thus after testing, it issues a certificate and a sticker to be displayed on all vehicles. Further, owners using cylinders are responsible for having the kits checked after every five years.

Special seamless cylinders are only subject to use of high pressure gas such as CNG. But many people are using other cylinders meant for other uses like oxygen, nitrogen, acetylene, etc.

This is against the law and enforced rules and regulations specified by the Ogra and petroleum ministry. Other kinds of cylinders cannot bear a 200-bar pressure of the CNG.

It is the duty of CNG filling stations to ensure that the cylinder they are filling possesses the required quality. They should ask for the sticker issued by the HDIP. They have the right to refuse to fill gas in cylinders that have not been passed by the HDIP. By doing this, we may save many lives.

CNG station owners can do this easily by deputing staff to check cylinder stickers. Long lines of vehicles are seen these days at CNG stations. They should take the maximum advantage of the situation and check for the stickers. While waiting for their turn, car owners will fully cooperate with them.

Besides poor quality and unapproved cylinders, another dangerous factor may cause an accident in future: the use of mobile phones near CNG dispensers. Their use should be avoided as it is dangerous.

While the CNG filling process continues, a powerful electro-magnetic field may generate sparking, ending up with an explosion. It should be avoided and the staff should stop anybody trying to use one.

All these instructions are displayed at all CNG stations and they should be strictly followed. Station owners and their staff should fulfil their duties most efficiently.

DR ALFRED CHARLES Karachi