An acute gas crisis has been disrupting the life of authorised users in Savar, as the illegal intruders take a huge gulp of the total supply.    

There are around 50,000 residential customers in Savar, according to Savar zonal office of Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company.

But different syndicates have set up distribution lines at 800 to 900 points of the main supply line, feeding to around 7 lakh illegal gas stoves, said an official of the zonal office on condition of anonymity.

The practice of extending illegal gas connections from the main line deprives the government of huge revenue and the legal users of adequate gas.

Roma Akter, who lives in a rented house in Kotbari area under Savar municipality, struggles to finish her cooking as the gas pressure remains very low during day time.

Due to scanty supply of gas, she wakes up before sunrise to start cooking. "But I cannot complete the cooking, because the gas pressure gradually starts declining from midnight," said Roma, adding that she has been using earthen stove to deal with the situation.

Roma's neighbour Ferdousi Begum has a similar story to tell. She said she faces trouble in cooking as the gas pressure remains very low during weekdays, which compels her to use earthen stove to finish cooking.

During a recent visit, it was found that the situation was no different in Bank Colony, Razasion, Talbag, Bokterpur, Kotbari, Nama Bazar, Ganda, Ulail, and Radio Colony.

The sufferers alleged that illegal gas connection was responsible for this crisis.

Left, An illegal gas line over a drain in Aukpara area of Savar. Right, Another illegal line in Rajfulbaria area is being uprooted yesterday. Titas Gas authorities the same day disconnected over 2,500 illegal lines connected to a single point of the main supply line. Photos: Aklakur Rahman Akash

An influential cartel of local politicians from the ruling party, Titas contractors and officials are allegedly involved in stealing gas by setting up illegal lines, they said.

The cartel is making a fortune as each household pays between Tk 35,000 and Tk 50,000 for gas connection.

Seeking anonymity, a woman in Kolma area, said, they took an illegal gas connection giving TK 45,000 to a middleman for using a stove around one year back, but Titas authorities removed the connection in January this year.

Recently, some followers of AL-backed Chairman of Savar union parishad (UP) Shohel Rana offered them gas connection and took TK 8,000, the woman claimed.

Another woman in the area, who also did not want to be named, claimed she managed to obtain a gas connection around one year ago by bribing a Jubo league leader of Birulia union Tk 50,000.

But Titas authorities removed it around nine months into the installation. She said they have recently taken the connection again by paying a local influential AL leader Tk 10,000. 

Contacted, UP Chairman Shohel Rana trashed the allegation, and said his men are not involved in such illegal practice.

If any of them are found involved in such act, he said, stern action will be taken against them.

Allegations run rife that local administration and police also join hands in making some quick bucks from the bustling trade. But The Daily Star could not verify the claim.

Eleja Begum, a resident of Vatpara area under Savar municipality and also a legal customer, said due to the gas crisis, she uses electric stove that adds to the financial burden of her middle-income family.

Whoever can afford uses gas cylinder, kerosene stove and electric rice cookers to deal with the gas crisis. But the remaining ones have to either wait for hours for the gas supply or use earthen stoves, said Yusuf Ali, a resident in Talbag area.

Engineer Md Mokssedur Rahman, deputy general manager of Titas Gas Savar zone, said the demand is increasing due to the rise of illegal users whereas the supply remains the same, resulting in gas crisis for the legal users.

Contacted, Engineer Md Siddiqur Rahman, manager of Titas Gas Savar zonal office, said, "The drive to snap illegal gas connections is always on. A good number of illegal gas connections were removed in several drives in the recent past."

Admitting that gas theft through illegal connections is responsible for the recent gas crisis, Siddiqur said a huge quantity of gas is being wasted because of the unauthorised connections.   

Asked about the total supply of gas in Savar, Siddiqur said they do not have any information in this regard. He suggested contacting Titas head office.

Meanwhile, the Titas Gas authorities yesterday disconnected over 2,500 illegal connections from a single point in Rajfulbaria area.

Siddiqur, who was present during the drive, said none was arrested during the drive.

Assistant Commissioner (land) of Savar Md Kamrul Hasan, also executive magistrate, said such drive to snap illegal gas connections will continue.