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Islamabad: While taking serious notice of the recent incidents of blazed vehicles wherein huge loss of life occurred, Secretary Petroleum and Natural Resources, Muhammad Ejaz Chaudhry has directed to conduct raids on CNG pumps that provide gas to vehicles that are installed with sub-standard CNG kits / cylinders.
He stated this while chairing an urgent meeting called particularly for investigating the root causes of incidents related to blazing of vehicles due to faulty CNG cylinders and fittings. The meeting was attended by acting Chairman OGRA, Director General Hydrocarbon Development Institute of Pakistan (HDIP), representatives of Chief Inspector of Explosives (CIE), Director General (Gas) and Senior Officers of OGRA and Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources.
Previously, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources, had submitted a detailed investigative report to the Prime Minister of Pakistan wherein it was mentioned that factors responsible for accidents in CNG fitted public service vehicles are; poorly trained drivers; sub-standard maintenance of vehicles and improper certification by motor vehicles examiners; installation of sub-standard CNG cylinders / kits and control equipment by the un-authorized conversion workshops; increased number of cylinders in public service vehicles without considering the design specifications / axle loading to contour the impact of gas load shedding and non-compliance with safe re-fuelling procedure at CNG stations.
It was decided during the meeting that joint teams comprising of representatives of Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources, OGRA, HDIP and CIE would conduct surprise checking of CNG stations to ensure compliance of CNG Safety Rules (Production and Marketing), 1992. Any CNG stations found filling gas to any vehicle that contains sub-standard CNG cylinder or fitting, would be immediately penalized and sealed off.
Moreover, the concerned departments were directed to launch public awareness campaign to educate the general masses regarding installation of quality CNG kits and cylinders from licensed and authorized vendors and to insist upon public transport operators to install quality CNG kits and its regular safety inspection.
Secretary, Petroleum and Natural Resources, directed OGRA to devise and implement a comprehensive inspection plan for CNG stations and take strict punitive action against those CNG pumps which do not practice safety measures. Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources would also communicate to provincial governments to implement CNG safety rules.
Mr. Muhammad Ejaz Chaudhry, expressed great sorrow for the huge loss of life that occurred in yesterday’s Mattyari incident and conveyed condolences with family members of the deceased.
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