GUJRAT: The consumers of the Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited, particularly the domestic ones, have lamented the low gas pressure in many areas even during the eight-hour a day supply schedule issued by the SNGPL.

The complaints of low gas pressure by domestic consumers have been on the rise in many parts of Gujrat city for the last few weeks.

As per the officiallyannounced schedule for the domestic consumers, the SNGPL has to ensure gas supply for eight hours in three slots morning, midday and evening.

However, scores of domestic consumers from various parts of the city, particularly from areas like Shadman Colony, Ali Pura Road, Qamar Sialvi Road, Bhimbher Road, Circular Road and other adjoining localities, complain that the gas pressure gradually declines during the last one hour in all the three slots in the schedule.

They added that the complaint could not beaddressed despite their repeated protests and applications to the SNGPL authorities.

They warned of lodging street protest against the SNGPL for its failure to ensure supply at full pressure to the domestic consumers, making their lives miserable.

The women, especially house wives, complain that in the absence of gas, they had to rely on high-cost LPG cylinders, which also pose a risk to their safety as media is abuzz with cylinder blast stories.

They say that buying roti (bread) from Tandoors was no more economically feasible because of its high prices, demanding the government to enhance the timings of gas supply and ensure full pressure.

A senior official of SNGPL Gujrat region blamed the low pressure on use of compressors by a large number of consumers to suck more gas from the supply lines, depriving others of the required pressure in several areas.

He added that the SNGPL had been continuing the operation against the use of gas compressors.