Illegal gas, fuel connections cut in special drives

A PID release said today that in Brahmanbaria's Bancharampur upazila, a total of 70 illegal residential gas connections were disconnected, while two commercial establishments -- "Mr. Kitchen" and "Pizza Boy" -- were also stripped of their unlawful gas connections. 

Eight residential consumers were fined Tk 40,000 in total, while the two businesses were fined Tk 100,000. During the drive, around 600 feet of MS pipes along with various burners and ovens were seized.

In Rupganj upazila of Narayanganj, four lime factories and three commercial establishments lost seven illegal gas connections. Nearly 870 feet of pipelines of different sizes and other equipment were confiscated, while fines of totalling Tk 50,000 were imposed on the offenders.

Similarly, in different areas under Keraniganj Model Police Station in Dhaka, one washing factory, one wire factory, and a residential building were found to have illegal gas connections, which were disconnected. 

The move is expected to save approximately 23,245 cubic metres of gas each month, equivalent to Tk 680,148. The drive also resulted in seizure of 290 feet of pipeline, two ball valves, and one compressor set.

In Monohardi upazila of Narsingdi, a drive was conducted against unauthorised and adulterated fuel sales. Authorities seized 570 litres of diesel and 275 litres of petrol from an illegal outlet, reports BSS. 

The release said that these operations reflected the government's firm stance against unlawful use and marketing of fuel. By disconnecting illegal connections and realising fines, the government remains committed to restoring discipline in the energy sector, it added.