KARACHI: About 2,000 people were killed in cylinder blasts in 2011, which is four times more than the number killed in drone attacks for the same period. This figure is likely to double this year, as the government has not taken any concrete steps.
These views were expressed by speakers in seminar on “Safe Use of CNG” held at local hotel Wednesday evening, organized by the Helpline Trust with the collaboration with the National Forum for Environment and Health (NFEH).
Hamid Maker, Chairman of Helpline Trust said according to reports, 2,000 people were killed in cylinder blasts in 2011, which is four times more than the number killed in drone attacks for the same period. This figure is likely to double this year, as the government has not taken any concrete steps in this regard. He said Guns do not kill, but people behind the guns kill.
Giulio Segneri of LandiRenzo Pakistan briefed the audience about CNG being a safe fuel as its density is lower than air so it never remains there in case of leakage.
In his video presentation, he showed the process of manufacture of the CNG cylinder from a single metal piece, and tested to withstand more than 500 millibar of pressure whereas the CNG filled at not over 220 mb. This means that it is impossible for the cylinder to explode. If there is a fire it is because the vehicle is not only running on CNG but has a tank on petrol as well.
Sahibdin Khowaja, Sr. Research Engineer, Hydro Carbon Development Institute listed safety tips and said that the users must also check the manufacturing date of the cylinders, and must get them tested after a 5 year completion period.
Muhammad Abbas Sajid, Secretary of the CNG Station Owners Association outlined the problems of the CNG industry and the current pricing issue that has plunged the CNG industry into a crisis. He too emphasized on the need for strict implementation of the law that prohibits installation of kits by road side mechanics.
Muhammad Ali Haider, Vice Chairman, LPG Association of Pakistan said that compared to CNG, the LPG cylinders were not as strong as they were being made of scrap metal in places like Faisalabad, Wazirabad and Gujranwala, and despite pointing this out, no action had been taken against these manufacturers.
Irshad Hussain Shah Bukhari, President, Karachi Transport Ittehad (KTI)blamed the lack of governance, and corruption at all levels for the state of affairs and promised that he and his association will be in the forefront of any attempt to enforce standards.