CNG stations under explosion risk
Explosions are frequently occurring at CNG refuelling stations in the capital because the majority of stations are using substandard machinery and are failing to follow preventative safety measures.
Nazmul Haque, president of Bangladesh Petroleum Owners Association, told The Daily Star that approximately 15 blasts and fires took place last year due to mechanical faults or a disregard for safety measures.
He said that some unscrupulous business firms are importing and installing substandard equipment at CNG refuelling stations.
Nazmul said that standard machinery from Europe with the capacity of 500 - 700 cubic metres per hour costs around US $2.5 lakh, while substandard machinery of the same capacity costs around US $1.30 lakh.
Some Chinese and Korean companies are exporting the cheaper machinery to Bangladesh.
CNG machinery importers and installing agents claim that filling station owners often fail to comply with instructions concerning safety.
A senior official from Rahimafrooz who spoke on condition of anonymity said that his company installed the equipment at Tasin CNG Filling Station in Abdullahpur, where the most recent blast took place.
The force of Tuesday's explosion caused the roof to blow off and injured four employees.
The official said they asked the authorities of Tasin CNG Filling Station not to install unauthorised parts and not to use the designated installation room for mechanical purposes.
The official alleges that authorities at Tasin CNG did not comply with these instructions.
He added that any spark from a light or switch while using a drill or polishing machine may have caused Tuesday's blast.
Tasin CNG claims that the blast was the result of a booster pipe explosion.
Other dangers are created at refuelling stations when buses are allowed to park beside the station.
Bribes may be paid to the station owners to do so.
Seven buses were damaged in a fire at Cabex CNG Filling station at Kutubkhali in the city's South Jatrabari a few weeks ago.
Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner AKM Shahidul Haque told The Daily Star that a massive drive will be conducted against refuelling stations that violate regulations by allowing vehicles to park at the station compound.
During the early 1990s, authorities from the Rupantarita Prakritik Gas Company Limited (RPGCL) began operating with five CNG filling stations in the capital.
Private sectors launched operations in 2003-4 and there are now 461 CNG refuelling stations across the country.
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