In a bid to curb the rising prices of traditional fuels, the Sindh government imposed a ban on the use of LPG in public transport. However, despite the directive, the ban is yet to be effectively enforced, with public transport vehicles continuing to operate on LPG, sourced from various locations.
As the cost of petrol, diesel, and CNG continues to soar, transporters have turned to LPG as a cost-effective alternative. A liter of petrol now stands at nearly Rs284, while a kilogram of LPG costs Rs250 and provides double the mileage compared to petrol. Despite the economic benefits, concerns linger over the safety of LPG use.
District administration and transport department officials haven’t taken concrete actions, only issuing warnings. The growing use of LPG has led to unauthorized shops, posing safety and regulatory concerns in the city.
This shift to LPG echoes a previous trend when CNG was abundant and affordable. However, the use of CNG in public transport led to tragic incidents, including explosions and fires due to non-standard cylinder installations. In response, the Sindh High Court (SHC) intervened and temporarily prohibited the installation of CNG cylinders in passenger vehicles.
Despite initial actions taken by the government and relevant authorities, the issue was eventually sidelined. With the scarcity and increased costs of CNG, transporters made the switch to LPG. Unfortunately, the same safety concerns persisted as LPG began to replace CNG in existing cylinders.
Anjuman-e-Tajiran and Shopkeepers of Ghareeb Nawaz Pul Haali Road in Hyderabad express concerns. They urge the deputy commissioner and SSP Hyderabad to move LPG gas cylinder shops away from residential and commercial areas. They advocate against opening LPG gas shops in densely populated areas to reduce safety risks.
The Sindh government deals with enforcing the LPG ban and safety issues. Public transport faces uncertainty, juggling economic concerns and safety measures.
