CNG stations closure boils consumers

LAHORE - Closure of CNG filling stations in the city caused massive nuisance not only for the commuters but also for the public, used to travel through CNG-converted public transport including buses and vans, which overcharged fares.
A survey of the city conducted by The Nation on Saturday revealed that the CNG consumers could not get CNG from across the city due to the closure of CNG filling stations and they have to fill the tanks of their vehicles with petrol as alternate of CNG, which is costly as compare to CNG.
According to the current prices of the fuels, petrol cost the consumers in Rs 66 per litter while CNG cost them Rs 49 kg which was shocking for the CNG consumers because they have to purchase petrol from the filling stations with paying more money.
While getting fuel and paying more, the consumers were also showing their anger against the government while criticising policy makers for constituting such anti-people policies.
They also shouted on the employees and the owners of such filling stations selling both petrol and CNG but refusing to provide gas for their vehicles.
Similarly, the commuters also protested against the public transporters for overcharging despite clarification by the transporters that CNG stations were closed for two days and they have to get petrol as alternate of CNG, which was costly and they compelled to raise fares. However, the passengers criticised transporters and government for public crushing policies.
The common people were of the view that the price hike in the country with increase in electricity and gas tariff has made the lives of general public particularly middle and below middle class of the society miserable.
Muhammad Ali, resident of Mazang said that on one hand government has taken steps to control pollution and encouraged the utilization of CNG instead of petrol while on the other government is discouraging consumers by closing CNG stations.
Imran Hameed of Gulshan-e-Ravi was of the view that government has encouraged manufacturers to produce vehicles equipped with CNG technology for eliminating pollution combined with ensuring the provision of cheap public transportation but now directive has been issued to close down CNG stations for two days in a week.
However, CNG Station Association Pakistan has already rejected the proposal for closing down CNG filling stations for two days and have announced to open the CNG stations on Sunday.
In this regard, office-bearer of CNG Association Captain Shujah said that decision not only marred their business but also caused nuisance for the commuters.
He said that the association would close CNG stations for only 24 hours in the national interest.
It is pertinent to mention that the CNG filling stations remained close under the directions of the government and the schedule issued by the SNGPL compelled owners to close their filling stations for two consecutive days.