It is disconcerting to note that despite repeated instructions of the Energy Division, the Titas Gas Transmission & Distribution Company Limited (TGTDCL) has failed to disconnect illegal gas connections, with at least 102 kms of illegal lines still remaining. Experts are of the opinion that illegal gas connections cannot be stopped due to political clout, indulgence and interests of some dishonest Titas officials.
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.
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Drives must be conducted
regularly to disconnect the
illegal gas lines
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.
There is no denying that Titas officials do conduct drives to sever the illegal gas lines, but the problem is that there are unscrupulous people within the gas company who are involved in providing illegal gas connections.
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. Also, drives must be conducted regularly to disconnect the illegal gas lines. Strong political commitment is needed to disconnect all the illegal gas lines in the country.
