OGRA proposes a ban on CNG use in transport vehicles

After a number of tragic accidents caused by the explosions of gas cylinders in CNG fitted public transport vehicles, the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) has proposed to impose a ban on the use of compressed natural gas
in public transports. The sanction has been proposed by OGRA after the failure to ensure the quality of CNG kits, cylinders and fittings in transport vehicles.

The officials have cited that the major purpose for the recommendations of such ban was the increasing number of fatal accidents involving the CNG systems in public transport. The major reason for such tragedies is told to be the
use of substandard fittings in the vehicles.

OGRA has failed to develop a mechanism to ensure that all CNG-fitted vehicles obtain a fitness certificate before starting their operations as the public transport. Instead, the authority has announced that officials of Hydrocarbon
Development Institute of Pakistan (HDIP) will be split in teams to visit the CNG stations across the country and will ensure that fuel is filled only in fit vehicles.

“The team is headed by the OGRA chairman who will personally ensure that CNG filling, pressure and fitting in the vehicles are in accordance with prescribed standards,” it said.

While talking to the news reporters, one of the members of CNG association has described the recommendation as impractical and destined to fail. He believes that OGRA is aiming to hide its own flaws by making such unrealistic moves.

“How can one check the quality of fittings in all vehicles arriving at a station,” a CNG station owner in Islamabad said. “Besides, it is the responsibility of OGRA and the HDIP to set up CNG checking labs across the country.”

One of the most serious outcomes of such ban will be a soaring increase in the fares of public transport, as the transporters will be compelled to use petrol and diesel as fuel in their vehicles. Meanwhile, the All Pakistan CNG
Association and officials of the petroleum ministry reviewed safety measures for CNG-fitted public transport vehicles at a meeting presided over by Petroleum Secretary Ejaz Chaudhry.

The association agreed to launch an awareness campaign for consumers during which it would ask them to conduct safety testing of their CNG kits and cylinders. It would also conduct random checking and not allow refilling of vehicles
having substandard CNG kits.

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Posted by Farhan Hameed on Dec 20 2011. Filed under Business, Pakistan. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry