Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution PLC, the country’s largest natural gas distributor, faces a critical issue with 70 per cent of its distribution lines either severely deteriorated or expired 30 years ago. These faulty lines are causing significant gas leaks, leading to increased wastage and life-threatening accidents, causing frustration among Titas Gas officials.
MD labels distribution lines ‘silent killers’
Engineer Md Haronur Rashid Mullah, managing director of Titas Gas, described these gas distribution lines as "silent killers."
He noted that whenever gas pressure increases, bubbles form in densely populated areas like Dhaka, Narayanganj, and Gazipur. These bubbles sometimes ignite, causing major accidents, killing and injuring many.
Mullah attributed many of these issues to the negligence of major construction authorities, which damaged the already weak pipelines.
“Construction activities by various service organisations like electricity, water, internet, and major construction projects in the capital are exacerbating the damage to the old lines, making them even more hazardous,” he said.
10% system loss; probably over 14%
Energy experts have said that internationally, a system loss of over 2 per cent in gas distribution is unacceptable. However, Petrobangla's calculations show a system loss of 10 per cent for Titas Gas, while experts believe the actual figure exceeds 14 per cent.
Titas Gas claims that outdated and faulty gas lines account for at least 4-5 per cent of this system loss.
Titas using expired lines for decades
Titas Gas reported that as the country's first gas distribution company, it constructed supply lines in Dhaka, Narayanganj, Gazipur, Narsingdi, and Mymensingh between 1964 and 1968, with an intended lifespan of 25-30 years.
Over time, Dhaka expanded and became more densely populated, making it impossible to install new supply lines. Consequently, Titas Gas has been distributing gas through expired lines for over three decades. The increased gas pressure from this large population is straining the pipelines, causing leaks.
A former senior Titas Gas official explained to The Business Post that while minor gas overflows have occurred in the past, the recent major incidents are due to the failure to replace old pipelines.
Titas Gas reports that as of June 30, 2023, it supplies gas to 28,78,757 customers through approximately 13,391 kilometres of pipelines. Of these, 28,53,053 are household connections.
In the fiscal year 2022-23, Titas Gas surveyed 1,682 kilometres of pipelines in Dhaka and identified 9,926 gas sources (methane), including 459 leaks, which they subsequently repaired.
Gas line leaks causing fires, explosions
Multiple reports from the Department of Fire Service and Civil Defence investigating fires and explosions in Dhaka, Narayanganj, and Gazipur industrial areas have frequently attributed these incidents to gas line leaks.
Experts assert that the expired gas lines, combined with unauthorised tapping, are major contributors to these accidents.
On September 4, 2020, a gas pipeline leak under a mosque in Narayanganj caused an explosion and fire, killing 36 people and injuring eight others. It was regarded as the largest explosion in the city's recorded history.
Subsequently, Titas Gas identified and repaired 1,622 pipeline leaks. In FY23, Titas's emergency control room received 6,862 complaints, including 4,891 pipeline leaks and 311 fire incidents. Discussions on replacing the risky pipelines have been ongoing for years.
Reports indicate that residents in areas such as Badda, Rampura, Banasree, Bailey Road, Motijheel, Arambagh, Hazaribagh, Mohakhali, East Rajabazar, and Crescent Road often detect strong gas odours, causing panic. Mosques in these areas frequently announce warnings to avoid lighting gas stoves or matches.
Lines beyond repair, budget insufficient
Khandaker Abdus Salek, a former director of the Gas Transmission Company Limited (GTCL), told The Business Post that Titas Gas's distribution lines are so precarious that they are often beyond repair and must be replaced.
He also noted the absence of digital mapping for the distribution lines, which would help large construction companies avoid damaging them during excavation.
In response to why new pipelines are not being constructed, Titas Gas MD Haronur Rashid said that a substantial amount of funding is required, which is not available in their budget.
However, efforts are ongoing to address this issue, he added.
