Police Patrol: Post-blast, heavy action

An LPG cylinder explosion which injured three has prompted a crackdown on illegal filling stations

An LPG cylinder explosion, in which three people, including an infant, were injured, has triggered a crackdown on illegal LPG filling centres in the capital city.

The explosion on Monday, which damaged the house which is now suspected to have been an illegal filling centre and a few surrounding buildings as well, took place reportedly when a commercial cylinder, for use in hotels, was being filled with LPG from a domestic cylinder. The owner of the house, Nizamuddin, who has been arrested, was allegedly in illegal LPG distribution for quite some time, the police say.

Around 20 LPG cylinders were found hidden in various parts of his house, or rather, what remained of his house after the explosion. It will not be just illegal filling stations that will go under the scanner as the police launch a drive to trace them. The role of several gas agencies that have been supplying domestic cylinders to such filling stations, at prices higher than what they would get if the same was to be sold to eligible customers, too is being examined. City Police Commissioner H. Venkatesh, who convened a meeting soon after the explosion, said all police stations and Special Branch personnel would now be scouring their localities to track down illegal LPG dealings and that stringent action would be taken against violators.

Parking your car on the roadside anywhere in the city and walking off in search of that shop you were looking is not going to be easy anymore. Launching a drive to curb illegal parking in the city, the police have tasted blood, having recorded over 1,000 bookings in the first two days of the drive. That was before Onam. And now, the police are planning to carry forward the drive.

So, don’t be surprised if you find a sticker on your car’s windshield reminding you that you have been booked for illegal parking.

The existing fine of Rs.100 is not enough to make drivers from repeating the offence, it is felt.

“We would like to have the fine enhanced and are planning to take it up with the government,” City Commissioner H. Venkatesh said.