Temporary increase in odorant behind stronger gas smell in parts of Karachi: SSGC

• Testing of odorisation plants underway: SSGC.
• Testing part of new pipeline’s commissioning: SSCG.
• SSGC urges consumers to continue daily routines.

The Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) on Sunday clarified that a stronger-than-usual gas smell reported in parts of Karachi was due to testing during the commissioning of a new pipeline near Abul Hasan Ispahani Road.

“The system pressures remain normal, and no gas leakage has been reported,” the company said, explaining that testing of its odorisation plants was under way as part of the pipeline commissioning process.

According to the company, an increased amount of odorant was added to natural gas, which may cause a stronger smell to be noticed in some areas.

SSGC said that the higher concentration of odorant has led to complaints of suspected gas leaks from different localities. However, it reiterated that the smell was solely the result of the ongoing odorisation plant testing and did not indicate a gas leak.

The company urged consumers to remain calm and continue their daily routines, assuring them that the gas distribution system is operating within normal parameters.

In April, a local court in Karachi found SSGC guilty of negligence in a case related to the deaths of two citizens caused by a gas line explosion in Orangi Town’s Millat Colony in 2022, directing the company to pay Rs30 million in compensation to the affected family within one month.

Karachi West Senior Civil Judge Salman Amjad Siddiqui pronounced the verdict on April 7 on a civil suit filed by a citizen, namely, Aliza, whose parents were killed in the explosion that occurred in October 2022 due to a gas leak inside their house.

According to the petitioner’s counsel, Advocate Usman Farooq, the responsibility for gas distribution and maintenance lies with SSGC, and despite repeated complaints of gas leakage in the area, the company failed to repair the faulty line.

The lawyer maintained that the negligence directly led to the fatal incident, while the plaintiff sought Rs42.8m in damages.