Water in the gas line!
The water comes out due to a leakage in the pipes. If the leak is not repaired and gas gets trapped somewhere, there is a chance of an explosion.
Households of the capital's Mir Hajirbagh have been facing a gas crisis for months. But that problem may seem trivial when compared to the looming danger.
The residents are facing something bizarre. At night, gas pipelines of the households bring forth gas, as it should, and... water.
According to an official of Titas Gas, the water comes out due to a leakage in the pipes. "If the leak is not repaired and gas gets trapped somewhere, there is a chance of an explosion."
This possibly means that over a thousand people are at risk of an accident. The department concerned of Titas says it is not possible for it to find leakages and suggested that locals inform the authorities if they sense leaking gas.
According to Fire Service and Civil Defence, 1,511 fire incidents took place in the country between 2020 and 2021 because of gas-pipeline issues. Wealth worth about Tk 4.73 crore was damaged in these incidents.
Thirty-eight people were killed in an explosion caused by gas-pipe leakage in a mosque in Narayanganj on September 4, 2020.
Most weekdays, gas supply stops at around 7:00am and comes back after 9:00pm. But there's another problem. We've to drain water out first to get the gas.
Aside from this, a ritual is now part of the residents' daily life. They have to drain out the water from the pipes by opening the valves, otherwise they can't light the stoves.
"Most weekdays, gas supply stops at around 7:00am and comes back after 9:00pm. But there's another problem. We've to drain water out first to get the gas," said Bithi, a local.
While describing locals' sufferings, Bithi said their fuel cost has shot up. "Some of us are using cylinders or alternative stoves, even though we're paying our monthly bills."
The worst sufferers are children as they are also being deprived of their timely meals.
Meanwhile, on July 5, Ramzan Hossain, on behalf of Mir Hajirbagh residents, in a letter requested KM Monirul Islam, deputy general manager of Titas' Dhaka Metro Sales, to take measures to prevent accidents.
For several years, locals have been facing a gas crisis, but recently, it has become severe, he said.
"Although we've been paying bills equal to what households in posh areas pay, we don't get gas on time. Every day, gas pressure goes down after 7:00am and returns after 10:00pm," he said.
"Water comes out from risers and pipelines when the pressure increases. We don't get gas properly until the water drains completely," he said, adding that at some houses, it takes about two to three days to get normal gas pressure.
Due to this issue, gas is also being wasted, he added.
A few days after the letter, a team from Titas visited the area, but no measures have been taken.
Contacted, Monirul said he forwarded the letter to the emergency department and suggested that this correspondent contacts it.
Shahibul Awal, manager of Titas' south emergency department, said an accident can take place if gas is trapped. "Usually, bubbles come out from the leaked parts. If locals see such bubbles or smell gas, they can call us, and we'll take measures," he said.
Locals also requested Titas managing director to solve the problem. They gave a letter to him on July 6.
Asked, Titas MD Harunur Rashid Mollah said leakages happen when gas pressure goes down.
"These pipelines were installed many years ago. We don't have the capacity to check leakages underground," he said.
When his attention was drawn to the risk of an accident, he too suggested that locals inform Titas if they sense any presence of gas in the air.
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