Titas Gas conducts drive against illegal gas connections, imposes fines

Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution PLC has continued its drive to identify and disconnect illegal gas connections across different areas of the country.

As part of the campaign, a drive was conducted in the Pagar area of Tongi in Gazipur under the Zonal Office-Tongi on Monday (27 April), said a press release.

During the operation, a total of 37 illegal gas connections were disconnected for issues including outstanding bills, excess burners beyond approved limits and unauthorised connections. Around 200 feet of illegally installed pipeline was also removed.

On the same day, another operation was carried out in areas under Keraniganj Model Police Station, led by Senior Assistant Secretary of the Energy and Mineral Resources Division Moniza Khatun.

During the drive, illegal connections to a cable factory were severed. Ten service lines were disconnected and, with the support of local residents and administration, an 11 kV electricity line was also cut off. The factory was fined Tk100,000 and a case has already been filed against it.

According to the press release, the operation is estimated to have prevented monthly gas theft worth Tk1,282,644.

In a separate drive under Metro Dhaka Sales Division-1, the Vigilance Division (Metro Dhaka South) detected illegal gas use at Bismillah Molding Limited located in the capital’s Shyampur.

The inspection found unauthorised gas connections taken from a 150 PSIG distribution line. The connection was immediately disconnected.

Another enforcement operation was conducted in Libas Gate Road in Mouchak area under Kaliakair upazila of Gazipur, led by Assistant Commissioner and Executive Magistrate Ahmed Ali Adnan.

During the drive, 157 single-burner and 44 double-burner illegal connections were disconnected. Approximately 1,200 feet of 3/4-inch pipelines were removed, along with one riser and one illegal regulator seized.

In Narayanganj, another drive led by Assistant Commissioner and Executive Magistrate Suha Tabil was conducted in 13 locations under Meghnaghat Zonal Sales Office of Titas Gas.

Illegal connections to six kilns of three lime factories and one kiln of a casting factory were disconnected. A fine of Tk50,000 was collected from the owner of the casting factory. Around 110 feet of MS pipes of different diameters were seized. The drive is estimated to have prevented daily gas theft worth approximately Tk277,000.

In Munshiganj, a separate operation led by Assistant Commissioner and Executive Magistrate Md Abu Bakar Siddique was conducted in four locations in Panchasar union of Munshiganj sadar upazila.

During the drive, illegal gas usage was detected at Nurul Iman Islamia Madrasa, where gas was being used through star burners. Gas connections from two water heaters on the madrasa roof were also found. The illegal connections were immediately removed from the source line.

In addition, during inspections in around 20 residential premises in Durgabari area, three illegal connections were also disconnected.

Titas Gas authorities said such drives against illegal gas connections will continue to ensure proper use of national resources and prevent gas theft.