The national gas transmission grid and gas distribution network in the entire franchise have now become extremely vulnerable. The recent catastrophic gas explosion that burned 33 people to death in a mosque at Narayanganj has given yet another wake up call. Hundreds of thousands illegal gas connections and existence of thousands of kilometers of unauthorized gas pipelines have caused gas leakage through innumerable places. Thousands of semi permanent and many permanent infrastructures have been constructed even on high pressure gas transmission pipelines. The situation of gas distribution networks in Narayanganj, Gazipur, Tongi and Old Dhaka areas of TGTDCL, Nasirabad, Kalurghat, Halishahar, Chittagong EPZ areas, entire gas distribution network of BGDCL are still worse. The illegal gas connections caused gas leakage. There have been several gas accidents, causing damages to lives and properties. Print and electronic media regularly carried reports about illegal gas connections. Unfortunately, Petrobangla and EMRD did not take any measure till the recent fatal accident happened in the mosque. The accident happened from explosion of gas-air explosive mixture, getting spark from illegal power connection. The mosque committee extended the mosque over live gas pipeline, gas leakage in confined space of the mosque created the explosive mixture. TGTDCL cannot deny the responsibility of letting the extended section of mosque constructed on live gas line. TGTDCL is supposed to have patrolmen working, they should have carried out frequent leakage survey through injecting THT deodorant in the distribution network. Titas also should have set up digital mapping of their distribution networks for digital monitoring of their system. DPDC cannot also deny responsibility of illegal power connection in the mosque. Finally, the mosque committee must be held responsible for constructing extended section of the mosque on live gas pipeline and taking illegal power connection.
Subsequent Actions
Petrobangla and EMRD got up from slumber for the major impacts of the gas accident. State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid admitted the presence of huge illegal connections and illegal pipelines, making the system vulnerable. Hurriedly, without any specific confirmation of allegations, eight officials of TGTDCL’s Fatulla office were temporarily suspended and later arrested. How can the technical resources without any proof of offence be arrested? As a former gas sector executive, the writer has no issues if true offenders are punished as per Gas Act and Law. But amid mere allegations, TGTDCL officials must not have been harassed.
EMRD also issued order for removing all illegal connections and lines within the next two months. There are allegations that illegal gas connections has been there in a limited quantity even in 1970s and 1980s. But it grew into a pandemic proportion from 2011-12 after the government suspended gas connections to all consumers on excuse of gas scarcity. There are allegations that ‘hybrid’ front leaders of ruling party were involved along with the gas mafia syndicate in the illegal trade of gas connections, meter tampering, by passing meters of industrial and commercial consumers. EMRD, Petrobangla and the gas companies from time to time carried out some disconnection drives. But very little was done to eliminate the menace. The SCADA system of GTCL could be made operational, Digital Mapping of distribution system remained neglected. Petrobangla and Petrobangla companies’ boards became transit destinations of bureaucrats. Now illegal use of gas has become cancer in all over the gas franchise.
What Petrobangla, EMRD Did to Control Illegal Use of Gas?
Traditionally, the EMRD Secretary and Petrobangla Chairman remain in the TGTDCL board of directors. Both are senior bureaucrats. How then the existence of millions of illegal connections escaped their attention? As far as knowledge goes, TGTDCL started working on Digital Mapping of distribution networks in early 2000 under ADB financial assistance. But at certain stage, the then Secretary of EMRD in 2005 did not agree to the proposal of TGTDCL for further strengthening the Digital Mapping. Had it been operational, illegal interference of distribution system could be smartly monitored, leakages should have been immediately detected. In the highly publicized Digital Bangladesh, it is not acceptable at all that the gas distribution system cannot have simplest of the digital monitoring. We are also not sure that the distribution system is regularly odorized. If so, people living in gas franchise could easily sense gas leakage. We are sure about illegal motives behind not odorizing the system.
All the Petrobangla companies’ board of directors are the exclusive domain of EMRD officials. Most of them have no clause about exploration, production, transmission and distribution of gas. They enjoyed the foreign training facilities and other facilities. But they contributed almost nothing. Why not the company board members should be held accountable for gas theft and pilferages growing to the present ominous level? It is not only TFA, gas leakage, gas theft and pilferage are also rampant in KGDCL, BGDCL and JGDCL as well. Why not all gas use brought under prepaid metering by now?
What are the Remedies Now?
TGTDCL, KGDCL and BDCL must phase out old, leaking and massive intercepted gas distribution pipelines through carrying out extensive leakage surveys. There is no requirement of constructing and replacing gas pipelines in congested city areas. The domestic, commercial and even small industries can use LPG. The remaining distribution networks must be brought under Digital Mapping. Unfortunately, the manually prepared built documentation have been proved unreliable. Distribution system can also be monitored and regulated by Smart Sensing and Artificial Intelligence. In future, if gas distribution system is constructed at all in new areas like Purbachol and other modern suburbs, Medium Density Polyethylene (MDPE) pipes must be used instead of mild steel. BGSL used this in Chittagong University gas network and few other places in 1980s. Regular leakage surveys of distribution networks must be carried out and Cathodic Protection (CP) system must be regularly monitored.
The disconnection drives of illegal gas use must be a national movement. Gas companies alone cannot eliminate these now as vested syndicates have political and local administration blessings.
Petrobangla must be managed by Petrobangla officials. Petrobangla company boards must be restructured with retired gas sector professionals of proven track records. They can contribute much better for their institutional memories. Some senior academics from technical universities, DU, CU, JNU, RU and business forums may also be included.
Bangladesh can no longer let illegal use of expensive gas in gas franchise while vast majority of population in western and south western parts of Bangladesh remains deprived of gas. Innumerable leakages through dilapidated gas distribution networks may create towering inferno in gas networks in the event of a mild to medium earthquake. Hope, the government would realize the great danger triggered from illegal use of gas and eliminate the menace once for all.