Illegal Pipeline Tap Forces Total Gas Shutdown in Kishoreganj
Photo Collected
Kishoreganj is facing a severe energy crisis after Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company Limited suspended all residential gas supplies to the city following a major pipeline rupture in the Arialkha River. The leak, located in the Kazir Char area of Katiadi upazila, has been discharging significant volumes of natural gas into the water for over six weeks, with the intensity escalating to fountain-like proportions in recent days.
According to reports, the breach originated in an eight-inch high-pressure transmission line installed in the mid-1980s to supply gas from Narsingdi to Kishoreganj. Local residents and officials allege the damage was caused by an unauthorized lime factory established near the riverbank in early June. Sources claim the factory owner attempted to tap into the high-pressure line illegally under the cover of darkness, resulting in a puncture that was initially masked with vegetation. When the leak intensified and the resulting odor sparked public alarm, those associated with the facility reportedly abandoned the site.
The ongoing discharge has created a hazardous environment for those living near the riverbank, with residents reporting stinging eyes and persistent fumes. Despite the severity of the situation, local frustration is mounting over the delayed response from utility authorities and regional administration. While the leak began over a month ago, emergency measures were only recently initiated after the gas flow became volatile.
Titas Gas officials, currently overseeing repair efforts, acknowledge the technical challenges posed by the underwater location. The pipeline lies approximately eight feet below the riverbed, where strong currents and shifting sediment have hampered stabilization efforts. To mitigate the risk of a larger explosion or environmental hazard, crews have closed 90 percent of the control valves, effectively cutting off gas flow to approximately 9,000 residential customers across Kishoreganj.
The resulting service disruption has left the city’s residents in extreme distress, with many households struggling to meet basic daily needs. During a recent site visit, Katiadi Upazila Nirbahi Officer Shamima Afroze Marliz confirmed that legal action would be pursued against the operators of the unauthorized lime factory. Meanwhile, local leaders have publicly criticized the utility provider’s initial negligence, arguing that a prompt intervention could have prevented both the massive loss of public resources and the current humanitarian inconvenience. As of now, repair crews remain on-site, though a timeline for restoring service has yet to be finalized.
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