It is good to note that the Energy and Mineral Resources division has embarked on an action plan to disconnect all illegal gas connections in the country.
Already the Energy and Mineral Resources division has directed all gas distribution companies to disconnect both domestic and industrial illegal gas lines.
As reported by this daily on Monday, gas distribution companies had identified 3,17,275 illegal connections across the country. Of these, 2 lakh 52 thousand 443 connections have already been disconnected till December 13. During this time, 344 km of illegal gas pipeline has been removed. Still there are about 63,000 illegal gas lines in the country.
Government should devise necessary measures to identity the
corrupt officials involved in providing
illegal gas lines and take stringent action against them
Capital's gas distribution system has become a death trap over the years. Most of the gas pipelines in and around Dhaka are 30-40 years old and almost dilapidated. These illegal gas connections and old dilapidated pipelines are not only responsible for the wastage of huge amount of gas but also such gas connections often lead to incidents of fire and explosions.
We have come to know that TGTDCL, the largest gas supplier in the country is accountable for most of illegal gas connections in the country. Government does not get any bills against these illegal gas lines. As a result, the government is being deprived of a huge amount of revenue from this sector. Titas Gas authorities cannot deny their liabilities for this disorder.
Taking all into consideration, the government should devise necessary measures to identity those corrupt officials involved in providing illegal gas lines and take stringent action against them. Strong political commitment is needed to disconnect all the illegal gas lines in the country.