Govt swings into action finally

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The government launches a clampdown on unauthorised CNG conversion workshops today, waking up finally to the fatal incidents of cylinder blasts that have already claimed many lives.

These unauthorised workshops are engaged in fitting faulty and sub-standard CNG cylinders to motor vehicles, which have a high risk of explosion.

The drive has been initiated following a number of incidents of cylinder blasts in various parts of the country and a RPGCL finding that around 10 to 15 illegal conversion plants are operative in the capital city.

A team comprising representatives from Rupantorita Prakritik Gas Company Limited (RPGCL), Department of Explosives, Bangladesh CNG Filling Station and Conversion Owners’ Association led by a magistrate will conduct the drive backed by the law enforcers, a RPGCL official said.

According to Society for Urban Environmental Protection (SUEP), an NGO, at least 20 people were killed and 67 were injured in CNG cylinder explosions since January, 2007.

“We have information about some unauthorised CNG conversion works. We shall raid those and take action as per the explosives act,” the RPGCL official said.

He, however, could not say what forms of punishment would be dealt out to the unscrupulous businessmen.

Talking to The Daily Star, Bangladesh CNG Filling Station and Conversion Owners’ Association Vice President Manoranjan Bhakta said that there is some form of confusion regarding punishment.

Sources concerned said many CNG-run vehicles are fitted with cylinders, which are either not built for compressed natural gas (CNG) or their integrity is not verified on time.

As per rules, the CNG cylinders guaranteed for 15 to 20 years have to be checked every five years by RPGCL or by the CNG conversion plant the company designated.

The workshops usually verify the integrity of the cylinders, submit reports and give dates for next checkups.

However, there is no monitoring system to ensure if the CNG-run vehicles are following the instructions or have fit cylinders, businessmen concerned said.

The CNG conversion plants operating illegally use cylinders meant to contain oxygen and liquid gas, they added.

“Counterfeit CNG cylinders and cylinders that have not been checked for integrity every five years, as required, are dangerous,” said SUEP General Secretary Akhtar Hossain Babu.

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