Residents of Hyderabad are facing serious difficulties as Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) reportedly continues to miss its announced gas supply schedule across several parts of the city.
Under the current schedule, gas is supposed to be available from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m., 12 p.m. to 3 p.m., and 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. However, residents from densely populated and underdeveloped areas say the company is failing to ensure supply even during these limited hours.
Consumers said gas either does not arrive at all or comes with extremely low pressure, making cooking nearly impossible. In several neighborhoods, residents also complained that pipelines release air for the first 15 to 20 minutes after supply resumes before gas begins to flow.
“We are paying for air in our gas bills while spending hours in the kitchen to cook a single meal,” said a resident of Latifabad.
Residents say the unreliable gas supply has forced many households to turn to alternative cooking solutions, including electric stoves, induction cooktops, ceramic cookers, solar ovens, and LPG cylinders.
However, the shift has increased household expenses, as consumers continue to pay SSGC bills while also spending thousands of rupees on cylinders and around Rs. 2,500 per month on LPG refills.
Residents also criticized local elected representatives for failing to take up the issue with SSGC despite repeated complaints and protests. They said earlier claims that there would be no gas load-shedding from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. have proved false.
“We were told mornings would be free of outages, yet we get nothing but air,” another consumer said.
With no relief in sight, Hyderabad residents are demanding that SSGC either restore proper gas supply or revise its billing system so consumers are not charged for air released from pipelines before gas flow begins.