People in Hyderabad, Pakistan’s Sindh province are facing a gas supply issue, with residents not receiving gas as per the scheduled nine-hour daily plan by the gas utility. The lack of gas supply, especially during the scorching heat, is causing concern among residents, particularly women who are finding it difficult to manage household chores.
According to the schedule set by the Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC), gas should be available for three hours each in the morning, afternoon, and night. However, residents in various areas of Hyderabad have reported that the gas company is failing to provide gas during these specified times. Some areas that do receive gas are experiencing extremely low pressure, making cooking nearly impossible for residents.
Residents have complained that during the scheduled gas supply hours, gas pipelines initially carry only air for a brief period before the gas flow begins. This situation has led to residents constantly checking and relighting stoves to confirm gas supply, resulting in increased monthly bills as the meter continues to run.
The gas shortage has prompted an uptick in sales of alternative cooking solutions such as electric stoves, induction cooktops, ceramic cookers, and domestic LPG cylinders with varying capacities. Additionally, residents are turning to fibreglass LPG cylinders, which are lighter and resistant to rust, to cope with the gas supply challenges.
Earlier in May, residents in Karachi, Sindh, faced similar issues with water, gas, and electricity supply disruptions during the Eidul Azha festivities. The situation in Karachi led to dry taps, low gas pressure, and power outages in various parts of the city, causing distress among residents and raising concerns about the utilities’ reliability during festive periods.
