The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNRESTRICTED use of faulty gas cylinders in CNG-run vehicles poses serious threats to those who use them. In 2007, there was more than one cylinder explosion per month leaving at least one person dead in each. In an incident in Narsingdi, three persons died on the spot. According to media reports, 18 incidents of CNG cylinder explosions were recorded in 2007 and at least 17 people lost their lives.

A number of causes lead to cylinder explosions, say concerned people. Use of faulty and sub-standard cylinders is the main cause. In violation of instructions from the competent authority, many vehicles are fitted with low quality cylinders. Instead of cylinders specially made for compressed natural gas, oxygen cylinders or those meant for some other uses are used and those do not have minimum quality and cannot take CNG pressure. All the cylinders that so far exploded were found to be not of required specification. According to the Society for Urban Environmental Protection (SUEP) 87 percent of the cylinders that exploded were either of low quality or had faulty design or were fitted improperly. About half of the conversion workshops are reportedly unauthorised. not having the requisite expertise and experience in the field.

Cylinders, irrespective of kind and quality, need to be checked before use in CNG-run automobiles. Those should be checked at least once every five years for the sake of safety. But there is no arrangement for monitoring their uses. Rupantorito Prakritik Gas Company Ltd (RPGCL) is designated to verify genuineness of the cylinders, submit report and give new dates for checkups. But atomobile owners are rarely found to get their cylinders checked voluntarily. RPGCL does not have the authority to compel people for the same. Even the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA), which is supposed to check fitness of vehicles, does not ask for checking the CNG cylinders. About one lakh CNG-fuelled vehicles now ply in Bangladesh. Those are not regularly checked. Doubts are there whether the 10,000 three-wheelers imported in 2001 had the right kind of cylinders. RPGCL is authorised to issue licences and supervise the conversion works of other workshops. But allegations are there that it does not do the same. So, those workshops are free to convert vehicles with low quality cylinders and other materials at will. Many automobile owners are also unaware of the need for quality check of cylinders that they use.

Each cylinder blast reportedly has the power of a 500-pound bomb. Such an explosion may cause loss of life and serious damage to property. Many blasts of cylinders occurred during refueling of gas. Explosions in filling stations may lead to much more disastrous incidents. To avert such eventualities, the authorities must ensure regular monitoring of all cylinders. They must see whether the conversion workshops are of requisite standards. Unauthorised conversion of vehicles must not be allowed. Use of low quality cylinders must be made punishable. People must also be made aware of the causes leading to CNG cylinder-blasts.