KARACHI: Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Station Owners Association (CNGSOA) while lauding the steps taken by the Sindh government to put a curb on illegal CNG workshops, has urged the government to eradicate this menace completely.

Sindh Chief Secretary Dr Mutawakkal Kazi has reportedly directed the City Government officials to ensure that only authorised Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) stations carry out CNG conversion work.

In a statement here on Saturday, Chairman CNGSOA Malik Khuda Baksh said this had been a long-standing demand of the association and it was a positive step towards the development of CNG industry and safety of consumers.

He said action against illegal CNG shops would not only strengthen licensed operators, but would also help create an environment of positive competition in the industry.

Strict action should be taken against unauthorised persons and roadside workshops, which carry out CNG conversion business through non-technical and unskilled persons, which is dangerous for the life of people and property and also demanded similar action by other provinces.

"The government should have regular follow-up so that this menace is eradicated completely," he said, adding that these illegal shops used substandard material in cylinders, due to which accidents occurred at legal CNG stations where cylinders blew up during the process of filling.

Mohammad Naeem Qureshi, President National Forum for Environment and Health appealed to the Sindh chief minister to issue directives for conversion of all government vehicles to CNG. This would promote use of CNG in the mega city of Karachi, he said.