The New Nation - Internet Edition

A gas pipeline leakage at Bangla Motor intersection in the city caused fire on Wednesday and contributed to tremendous traffic jam for several hours. The high-pressure 16 inches domestic supply line that passes along the Kazi Nazrul Islam Avenue developed leak. The flames of the fire leaped up to ten feet. Gas oozed out through openings in the road and nearby drains. Police stopped the movements of vehicles along the road. Fire fighters took two hours to extinguish the fire.

Another gas pipe explosion on the same day at an icecream factory at Shyampur in the city left at least four workers unconscious. According to sources, Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company deals with at least a dozen of minor pipeline leakages daily. Major incidents of gas leakage and outbreak of fire are, however, not rare. Years back pilling work at Rampura in the city caused serious damage to the main gas supply line and ablaze that created panic. Gas pipe explosion at a 12-storyed hotel in the city in first week of June this year caused heavy damage.

Use of pipes made of substandard materials or installation faults might have caused those accidents. Every pipeline especially those laid along a busy roads should be set sufficiently deep. Insufficient depth of the pipeline and constant jerking of the soil caused by heavy transports might have weakened the high-pressure line at the Bangla Motor point.

The use of safety equipment like leak clamp or compressor couplings in adequate quantities are likely to bring down chances of leakage or explosions. It is learnt that the Titas Gas that handles country's 70 percent gas supplies has not been purchasing safety equipment for more than a year. Then how the company is extending new connections?