THE New Nation on Friday reported that CNG-run vehicles running in the capital and across the country may cause serious explosions, as 80 per cent of the vehicles are operating without scheduled CNG cylinder integrity checking. These expired CNG cylinders can blow up at anytime, anywhere, like time bombs. Experts have called the government to take strict initiative for checking of CNG cylinders immediately and mandatory sticker on each CNG-run vehicle with the date of cylinder check up to avert massive casualties of lives. The owners of vehicles who converted petrol-run vehicles into compressed natural gas for reducing everyday cost have virtually accepted life under constant threat by installing substandard cylinders and replacing eroded cylinders regularly.
The CNG Rules-2005 clearly stated that CNG cylinders installed in vehicles must undergo testing every five years. The cylinders must be replaced if their integrity is found to be compromised. But only 20 per cent of the vehicles running on CNG are regularly tested, meaning 80 per cent staggering vehicles are running for years without undergoing scheduled safety checks. A leading CNG conversion company said there are around 100000 CNG cylinders in operation, but re-testing procure has been done of about only 32,000 of them. It’s tremendously a shocking news.
Since the Chawkbazar fire disaster, some vehicle owners become aware of the danger of unchecked and old cylinders in their vehicles. A total of 503,131 vehicles run on CNG across the country, and 269,506 vehicles among those are conversions. A total of 93,242 auto-rickshaws and 40,383 vehicles were also imported as CNG-driven automobiles. The fire incident should be an eye-opener for what we are reluctant for many years, like gas cylinders both in vehicle and kitchen room, the danger of flammable substance, fire extinguishing machines and fire hydrant in building and urban design.
We don’t understand why the Department of Explosives under the Home Ministry remains mum over the issue for years. The new companies are getting permission from the DoE for bolting gas. But there should be a strict procedure for the procurement of license or permission in this regard. Otherwise, the dishonest businessmen will ruin everything.
