Dhaka: The energy ministry has conducted drives in four districts, including Dhaka, against illegal gas connections. During these operations, unauthorized gas lines were dismantled, fines were imposed, and equipment such as gas pipes was seized, an official statement revealed today.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the energy and mineral resources division of the ministry stated that the drives were executed in Dhaka, Narayanganj, Narsingdi, and Brahmanbaria under the supervision of four executive magistrates. The operations also led to the seizure of a significant amount of unauthorized petroleum products, including diesel and petrol.
The statement emphasized that these actions reflect the government’s firm position against the illegal use and distribution of fuels. In Brahmanbaria, the campaign resulted in the disconnection of 70 illegal gas lines, with Tk.1.40 lakh collected as penalties from 10 unauthorized consumers.
In Rupganj upazila of Narayanganj, the drive led to the disconnection of seven illegal gas lines, the seizure of 870 feet of illegally installed gas pipeline, and Tk 50,000 collected in fines. In Dhaka’s Keraniganj area, a magistrate-led team disconnected gas lines from a washing factory, a cable factory, and a residential building, seizing 290 feet of pipe, two ball valves, and a compressor.
Additionally, a magistrate conducted a raid against unauthorized petroleum sales in Monohardi upazila, seizing 570 liters of diesel and 275 liters of petrol, some of which were spurious and stored illegally. The statement concluded by noting that similar drives will continue in the future to prevent gas wastage and ensure a smooth supply to legal subscribers.