SSGC rules out gas leak after Karachi odor complaints

KARACHI: The Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) has reassured residents that the unusually strong smell of natural gas reported in several parts of Karachi is the result of routine testing linked to a new pipeline project and not due to any gas leak.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the utility company said the odor was caused by the temporary addition of a higher-than-normal concentration of odorant during the commissioning of a new gas pipeline near Abul Hasan Ispahani Road.

According to SSGC, the testing of odorisation plants forms a standard part of the commissioning process to ensure that natural gas can be easily detected by smell in the event of future leaks. The company emphasized that gas system pressures remain stable and that no leakage has been detected anywhere in the network.

The stronger odor prompted numerous complaints from residents across different neighborhoods, many of whom feared a possible gas leak. However, SSGC clarified that the smell was expected during the testing phase and did not pose any immediate safety risk.

“The system is operating under normal conditions, and no gas leakage has been reported,” the company said, urging consumers to remain calm and continue their daily activities without concern.

Officials explained that odorants, which are harmless chemical compounds, are intentionally added to naturally odorless gas to help people quickly identify leaks. During commissioning and testing, the quantity of odorant may temporarily increase, resulting in a stronger smell than usual.

The clarification comes amid heightened public sensitivity over gas safety following several incidents in recent years involving gas leaks and explosions in Karachi.

In April this year, a local court held SSGC responsible for negligence in connection with a 2022 gas explosion in Orangi Town’s Millat Colony, which claimed the lives of two residents. The court directed the company to pay Rs30 million in compensation to the affected family after concluding that repeated complaints about gas leakage had not been addressed adequately.

Against that backdrop, Sunday’s reports of a strong gas smell quickly attracted public attention and triggered concerns on social media.

SSGC said it remains committed to maintaining a safe and reliable gas distribution system and advised consumers to report any actual signs of leakage, such as hissing sounds or damaged pipelines, through its emergency helpline. The company added that technical teams would continue monitoring the network while pipeline commissioning and testing activities are completed.