RAWALPINDI: The task force of Sui Northern Gas Pipelines (SNGPL) has removed about 400 illegal compressors to improve gas pressure in different areas of the city.

SNGPL Regional General Manager Javed Khan told this news agency that the use of compressors during the peak hours worsened the situation and the consumers in adjacent streets had to face low pressure.

Besides, due to corroded networks in the old residential areas, severe underground leakages have also been observed.

By the use of gas compressors, water from drainage is also sucked into the gas lines which creates choking and restricts the gas flow. Such complaints have been received from different localities of Rawalpindi, including Satellite Town’s B Block, Shareefabad, Parian, Kamalabad, Groti, Tench Bhatta, Muslim Town, Akalgarh and Pirwadhai.

“Our maintenance teams are working day and night using heavy compressors to drain out the water from the gas lines,” he added.

The pressure has improved after the addition of 15mmcfd of additional gas to Rawalpindi city compared to last year, he added.

The residents have also been educated to refrain from using gas compressors, he said, adding new pipelines were being laid to increase the gas pressure.

Published in Dawn, January 5th, 2020