Need to Check Gas cylinder explosions

23-03-2022 : A few days back four persons were killed and 15 others were injured in a massive fire in Jammu at a scrap shop at Residency road due to gas cylinder blasts and similar such incidents were reported in other districts of J&K UT time to time. However, police said the fire was caused due to a short circuit followed by gas cylinder blasts.

J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha had announced a compensation of ₹ 5 lakh to families of the victims. “Ex-gratia of ₹ 5 Lakh each families of the victims in Jammu LPG Cylinder blast incident was announced. A compensation of ₹ 1 Lakh was also announced to the seriously injured and ₹ 25,000 to those with minor injuries,”

Such explosion of household gas cylinders in the State has almost become a common occurrence. The scene of fire after every explosion itself is heart-wrenching. It causes death and destruction of properties on an enormous scale. Sometimes, cluster of houses are getting reduced to ashes within hours. Now, the point is, has the concerned authority ever thought of ways to stop such menaces? Could the authority ascertain the real causes of every explosion from their enquiry report? The victims in most of the cases are poor people and small hoteliers, shopkeepers etc. In this connection, various studied and reports shows, mishandling of gas cylinders and lack of safety awareness among the users are the root causes of all the explosions.

Gas consumers to keep accidents at bay needs to be properly educated by the gas supplier companies. Whenever a gas filled cylinder is delivered to their homes, they should ensure the following: First, check whether there has been any gas leak from the nozzle of the cylinder in the presence of the delivery boy. Every delivery boy knows how to stop small leakage either by putting new rubber washers in the nozzle or by tightening some arrangement available inside the nozzle. If the leak persists, ask the delivery boy for a leak-proof cylinder; secondly, standard quality of pipe should be used; thirdly, no children should be engaged to operate gas stoves; and proper ventilation should be made in every kitchen.

Besides these precautions, consumers should remain ever alert while using gas and closing gas after cooking is over. Conscious/careful use of gas cylinders can help avoid and avert accidents in a big way. They should also ensure that not a single cylinder goes out with an iota of leakage. Gas supplier companies should also conduct awareness programmes among common people regarding the safe use of gas cylinders. Awareness is not a one-time job. It is, indeed, a continuous process.

Every effort should be made to avoid such incidents by the gas supplier agencies with the active co-operation and participation of public at large, so that precious lives of our citizens be saved. The role of J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha was appreciable by announcing immediate ex-gratia relief to the victims. At the same time, district administration and their concerned departments also deserve appreciation for their prompt action to rescue the victims as well as rushing of fire tenders to the spot and after hectic efforts the blaze was brought under control.