The New Nation - Internet Edition

COMPRESSED natural gas (CNG) cylinder explosion has emerged as a new danger to members of the travelling public. The basement of a 22-storey building at Banani in the city caught fire from the explosion of a CNG cylinder the other day. The explosion occurred in the parking lot and the fire spread to some other areas of the building. A similar explosion at Mohakhali in the city on Saturday burned a microbus to ashes. According to reports, 18 incidents of cylinder explosion were recorded in 2007, more than one per month. At least one person died in each case.

Use of faulty and sub-standard CNG cylinder in motor vehicles is the main cause of repeated explosions. Many vehicles are fitted with low quality cylinders not meant for storing high-pressure CNG. Sometimes even oxygen cylinders or those having capacity to store lower pressure substances are used. Such cylinders cannot withstand the high pressure of CNG. According to the Society for Urban Environmental Protection, 87 percent of the cylinders that exploded at different times were either of low quality or had faulty design or were fitted improperly. Most of the vehicles damaged by explosion were taxicabs or CNG-fuelled three-wheelers. A significant percentage of explosions took place during refuelling.

Each cylinder blast reportedly releases the power of a 500-pound bomb with potential to cause serious damage of life and property. The incident at Banani should be an eye-opener as to how devastating a cylinder explosion could be. To avert such threats to life the authorities must ensure regular monitoring of all CNG automobiles. The use of faulty cylinders or unauthorised conversions of vehicles should be stopped. A drive against use of sub-standard CNG cylinders has been initiated. It should succeed in stopping the use of sub-standard CNG cylinders.