Although Bangladesh has frequently been experiencing explosions one after another from gas lines, LPG or CNG in recent years, no one can state the exact reason behind them, causing panic among general people.
In order to prevent death in these incidents, there is no alternative to increasing the awareness of users and monitoring by the authorities concerned.
At least 294 people lost their lives in 10 incidents of major fires and explosions in the country in the last three years.
Dhaka TribuneAdditionally, in 2010, 124 people were killed in a fire in Nimtali, 117 people in Tazreen Fashion, and 31 people in a Tongi factory fire incident.
Hundreds of people were injured in these incidents. Experts feel that it will not be difficult to handle the situation with common people being made aware of what needs to be done to prevent such accidents and proper supervision by the authorities.
Dhaka TribuneFarhana Akhtar, a resident of Moghbazar, is a housewife who cooks with LPG due to a gas shortage. Due to several recent incidents, she is now afraid of using LPG.
Meanwhile, Emad Uddin, an office employee in Motijheel, said: “Now while walking on the sidewalk, sometimes I feel afraid since there are now many restaurants along the footpath.”
Many people have expressed similar sentiments. After several big explosions in a row, this fear is now working in people.
After the Siddique Bazar blast in Old Dhaka on March 7, another explosion occurred in Narayanganj on March 12. The house in Narayanganj where the explosion took place did not have air conditioning (AC) or gas cylinders. However, pipeline gas was used in the house.
On the same day, a microbus overturned at Trishal in Mymensingh around 2am. Five people were killed in the explosion of the gas cylinder of the microbus.
CollectedThose concerned that CNG-powered vehicles in the country need their cylinders tested once every five years. Those can continue for another three years if they pass the test. Again, there are rules to change the cylinders. But in many cases, the users do not comply with the rules, and create risks. No one knows when the CNG cylinders of these vehicles will explode.
As per the Natural Gas Marketing Act, there is a provision for permanent disposal of Titas pipelines after a snapping of the lines. However, although the Titas lines have been disconnected at Moghbazar and Siddique Bazar, the pipeline has not been stopped permanently, police said. Due to this, there is a risk of leakage in the pipeline and gas coming out from there, raising the worry that such accidents are prone to happen.
Titas Dhaka Metro DGM Md Siddiqur Rahman visited the place after the incident on March 8 and said that the explosion did not occur from a Titas gas leakage. Another team of 18 members of Titas made similar comments after visiting the place on March 12.
Those concerned said that apart from these, there are frequent incidents of LPG cylinder explosions. In such cases, gas accumulates in the room from the leakage by various means. The explosion then occurs from the accumulated gas.
This accident can be prevented to a great extent by changing the valves and pipelines of the furnace and cylinders at regular intervals. At the same time, the room should be opened to air coming in shortly before lighting the stove and the cylinder should be placed in a place where there is adequate ventilation.
Golam Rahman, President of Consumer Association of Bangladesh (CAB), said that one incident after another will create alarm. But in this case, self-awareness is needed first.
“Now people should check their gas lines regularly. If you think there is leakage, call Titas. It is important to know the proper use of LPG and to follow the rules of use,” he said.
He added that the relevant organizations should take initiatives to implement the issues cited in the report of the investigation committee. Besides, he thinks that it is necessary to increase surveillance.
Meanwhile, energy expert BD Rahmatullah said that these pipelines of Titas are very old. Recently, in several incidents, the picture of these pipelines has also come up. Meanwhile, after the explosion, it was said that the explosion was caused by gas, but in the end, Titas is avoiding its responsibility.
Titas says it is not pipeline gas. But pipelines have been found in several places. It is now important to find the right reason without going for a blame game, he said.
In addition, he believes that awareness and monitoring of the organizations should be increased.