Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company Ltd disconnected several illegal connections in Kaliakoir of Gazipur yesterday.
The drive began around 12 noon in Mouchak Sadarchala and Lohakoir areas and ended around 3:30pm.
Four units of Titas Gas under Gazipur, including the gas distribution units of Tongi and Motijheel, conducted the drive, said Titas Gas Manager in the Chandra area AM Saiful Islam.
“We have found 76 illegal connection spots in Chandra area. More than 200 gas connections were provided from each of the spots,” the official said, adding that they had snapped 60 feet of connection line in each of the three spots.
The drive would continue, he said.
Resident of Mouchak Sadarchala area Mridha Asaduzzaman said: “Leaders of both the Awami League and the BNP have provided the illegal connections in exchange of money."
"Officials of Kaliakoir police station and people claiming themselves as local journalists also have complicity in distribution of these connections.”
Shipon Miazee of Bhannara Dhopachala area said he had to give Tk25,000 for pipes and Tk45,000 for a gas riser to Abdur Razzak of the Mouchak area.
Rabin Chandra Barman said he had given Tk1.5 lakh for the gas riser which connects the subscriber with the main line.
Locals also said Uzzal, Parvez, Kalim Uddin of Bhannara, and Shahidul, Zakir and Jabbar of Mouchak took Tk1.5 lakh for each gas riser and extra money for pipe depending on distance from the main line.
The local people admitted that they had opted for the illegal connection as “the authorised connections take more time.” They also accused the Titas officials and staff of awarding the connections.
Titas would take departmental actions against its officials and staff if the allegation of taking bribe for providing illegal gas connections were proved, Saiful said.
Gazipur Executive Magistrate ANM Badruddoza said: “The drive of disconnecting illegal gas connections has been ongoing for the last few months. We are sealing off every point of illegal connections.”
He also said the administration was taking legal actions against the people who had complicity with illegal gas connection.