• Of the 55 gas industries in Nepal, three are in Morang

Biratnagar, December 25

The massive fire that broke out at Super Gas Industry in Birgunj last Wednesday has made locals of Morang afraid to use LPG cylinder in their kitchen as they fear explosion.

The incident that took place in Super Gas Industry is still fresh in locals’ mind and they hesitate to use LPG cylinder as they doubt that the gas cylinders they are using do not meet the safety standards. Lack of monitoring on the part of the regulatory agency has made industry proprietors unscrupulous. Commerce office, which is entrusted with the responsibility of regulating the industry has not gone for inspection for the past one-and-a-half-years here.

“It has been a long time we have not monitored the gas industry and we do not have adequate manpower for that as well,” said acting chief Kumar Dahal at Commerce Office, Morang.

The office has been running without a head for the past one year.

Of the 55 gas industries across the country, three are in Biratnagar and its vicinity. Koshi Gas Industry is located at Nimuwa Chowk along the Biratnagar-Itahari Koshi Highway while Rijal Gas is located at Nimuwa Chowk near the highway. Maruti Gas Industry is situated at Sonapur section along the Koshi Highway.

As per the bylaw, gas industry should be established at least five kilometres away from human settlement. The bylaw also states that gas industry should be away from major highways.

Koshi Gas Manager Sachit Upadhayay said they had taken precaution to avoid untoward incidents.“We know that gas industry should be away from human settlement. Houses were constructed after our industry was set up,” Upadhayay added.

Manager of Subidha Gas Ram Kumar Shrestha also said precaution had been taken to avoid untoward incidents. The Birgunj incident made them very sensitive.