With the pipelines in the capital’s gas supply network turning out-of-dated, incidents like gas-leakages, fire accidents and people losing lives have gone up in recent days.
Although Titas Gas is saying that the pipelines urgently need to be changed, no steps have been taken in this regard.
Experts fear leakages in the gas pipelines may lead to yet another tragedy like the deadly fires of Nimtoli and Chawkbazar. While emphasising on the much needed replacement of pipelines, they have also pointed out that the work must be done with a priority of ensuring people’s security during the process.
Recent pipeline leakage incidents include last Wednesday’s fire at the Free School Street in Dhaka’s Kathalbagan. The locals had been complaining about several leakages in the areas gas line with no steps taken by the concerned authorities in response.
In their complaints, the locals mentioned they could smell the gas, indicating leakages in the pipelines, every time they used the road.
Earlier on Feb 22, a fire incident at Jurain’s IG gate area was reported. Two days before that, a fire resulting from gas-line leakage at Dhanmondi’s Sukrabaad engulfed a passenger Bus leaving eight with burn injuries. Few other similar fire incidents have been reported in this year.
Speaking on the out-of-dated pipelines, Titas Gas Director (Operation) Md Kamruzzaman said, “Many Titas pipelines have become really old leading to such gas-leakage incidents.”
Assuring that steps have already been taken to replace the old pipelines with new ones, he said, “The work will begin soon.”
Power, Energy and Mineral Resources State Minister Nasrul Hamid said, “The government has undertaken a massive project aimed at overhauling the entire gas-supply system and installing new pipelines.”
According to the state minister, once the Tk 12 billion crore project sees the completion phase, uninterrupted gas supply will be possible.
“The project will be implemented within the next three years,” he said.
It was in 1967, when the gas-supply programme was introduced for the first time in Dhaka with pipelines measuring 12 inched, 14 inches and 10 inches installed from Demra to Tejgaon and Demra to Postogola. Afterwards, pipelines with different diameters and 50psi pressure were installed in various places in the capital from the early nineties. Starting from the mid-nineties and until 2010, the Dhaka city was gradually extended with the expansion of its gas supply network.
The supply line was made with pipelines of various diameters and 50psi gas-pressure. Although, the installed pipelines, had a 30 year expiry deadline, those are the ones through which the Dhaka dwellers meet their need of gas pipeline.
Titas have a total of nearly 7000 kilometres pipelines which makes up the Dhaka’s gas supply network. Nearly 5000 kilometres, which were installed in the first two phases, were in dire need to be replaced.
Titas officials say, the gas supply is kept operational through partial repairs. Besides, many gas pipelines have been damages during different company’s development work. Moreover the extent of leakage in increasing as the pipes density is low.
Under the circumstances Titas has undertaken a number of endeavours including dividing the capital in 143 zones. Based on low gas pressure, damaged pipelines and smaller pipelines, 60 zones have been picked to be upgraded in the initial phase of the project. The second phase will pipelines of 79 areas upgraded.
Speaking about the planned project Titas General Manager (Planning and Development) Md Abdul Wahab Talukder said, “Before we go for initiating the DPP, we will have to survey the entire Dhaka to pick places where the pipelines will be installed.”
He also said that an eight-member committee has been formed and they have been given a 60-day deadline.
Titas will carry on the task with their own funding, he said before adding,”We have received a directive from the prime minister’s office.”
Elaborating the plan, he said that they want to replace 20-30 year old pipelines within the span on the next three years.
“Once we receive the nod we will begin the task within 2.5 to 3 months,” he said.
An energy expert Shamsul Alam, however, opposed the entire plan and said, “I think the Titas is not capable of undertaking such a big project.”
“The fire incidents, explosion are happening on a regular basis. If they are capable, why aren’t they sitting idle,” he asked referring to the recent fire incidents.