Drive against illegal gas links hits snag

UNB, Dhaka :
The drive against illegal gas connections launched by Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company is facing troubles for lack of police force.
“We have to suspend our drive against illegal gas connections as we aren’t getting adequate police to support the drive,” a general manager of the company told UNB on Wednesday wishing anonymity.
Titas Gas launched the drive on February 16 to remove all the illegal gas connections in the city and its adjoining areas, including Gazipur, Savar, Kalikoir, Sonargaon, Rupganj, Keraniganj and Narayanganj.
But the gas transmission distribution company had to keep suspended its drive in most of the areas for the last two days (Tuesday and Wednesday) for lack of law enforcers.
The general manger said police are not available for the Titas drive as most of them are now deployed in upazila elections.
He said Titas started the drive as per a decision of its recent board meeting which was chaired by its chairman and Energy Secretary Mozammel Haque Khan. “So far we’ve removed 33,000 feet of illegal gas connections in different areas,” he added.
It is assumed that over 150,000 illegal connections were given during the last five years when new connections remained suspended. A section of dishonest officials and workers provided the gas connections in connivance with different influential quarters.
Finally, the government withdrew the embargo on new gas connection last year and illegal consumers were given a chance to legalise their connections through the due process. Despite that, many consumers have failed to have their gas connections legalised.