Dhaka: Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution, the state-owned natural gas distributor, disconnected 3,000 illegal gas connections in Dhaka, Narayanganj, and Gazipur following multiple mobile court operations.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Executive Magistrate Simon Sarkar led coordinated raids at three washing plants located in Siddhirganj in Narayanganj, Demra, and Matuail in Dhaka. The inspections revealed unauthorized gas usage, resulting in the disconnection of 2,700 cubic feet of gas load. The authorities imposed fines totaling Tk 2 lakh on two plants, and all connections were permanently severed.
On the same day, Executive Magistrate Monija Khatun carried out a separate raid on three restaurants in the Narayanganj port area, leading to fines of Tk 1.60 lakh and the severing of their illegal commercial gas connections.
Furthermore, around 500 residential connections in the Keodala area were disconnected during the operation. These connections had an estimated load of 10,500 cubic feet per hour.
The most significant success was achieved in an operation led by Executive Magistrate Milton Roy in the Bhadartti area of Kaliganj upazila of Gazipur. During this operation, approximately 7 km of illegal distribution lines from Kaliganj DRS to Beldi More in Rupganj were permanently cut and capped. Consequently, around 2,500 double stoves in nearly 2,000 homes were disconnected permanently. This move is expected to save an estimated 1,50,000 cubic meters of gas per month, valued at about Tk 27 lakh.
The operation to disconnect illegal gas connections and enforce legal action is set to intensify in the future.