Habiganj gang steals condensate by tapping national grid pipeline

An organised gang allegedly stole 4,292 litres of condensate by illegally tapping a national grid pipeline in Madhabpur upazila of Habiganj.

Gas Transmission Company Limited (GTCL) filed a case with Madhabpur Police Station on Thursday night against former union parishad member Islam Uddin and others allegedly involved in the theft.

Police and GTCL officials said the theft was detected around 1am on 4 November near Ratanpur Doctor’s House in North Noapara area along the Dhaka-Sylhet Highway.

GTCL security personnel spotted five to six suspicious people near the pipeline. As they approached, the suspects fled. Later, officials found that a hosepipe had been connected to the pipeline through an illegally drilled hole to siphon off condensate.

GTCL security supervisor Dulal Mia said former UP member Islam Uddin was seen at the scene and allegedly tried to prevent the security personnel from approaching the pipeline.

Police later recovered various equipment allegedly used in the theft, including a six-inch clamp, a one-inch GI pipe and two ball valves.

Two large water tanks allegedly used to store the stolen condensate were also recovered from a pond and the surroundings of Islam Uddin’s house. Police also found two underground tanks or pits at the house, allegedly designed to store condensate.

GTCL’s Ashuganj regional Deputy General Manager (Security) Md Monirul Islam alleged that an organised group, including Islam Uddin, had been involved in condensate theft for a long time.

GTCL Deputy Manager Md Zayed Hossain said 4,292 litres of condensate had been stolen over the previous two days, with an estimated market value of Tk2,76,920.

Deputy Assistant Engineer Md Shamim Hasan said the thieves used specialised equipment to drill holes in the pipeline and siphon off condensate before transporting it elsewhere.

“Such illegal tapping poses serious safety and environmental risks to the pipeline, besides causing financial losses to the company,” he said.

Attempts to contact Islam Uddin for his comment went unanswered.

Madhabpur Police Station Officer-in-Charge Sohel Rana said police immediately went to the spot after receiving the information and seized evidence.

He said a regular case had been filed based on a written complaint from GTCL and that police were conducting drives to arrest others involved in the theft.