Agartala, June 26:
Tripura Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha on Friday said the preliminary investigation into Thursday’s deadly explosion at a flat in Agartala’s Ramnagar area indicates that the blast may have been triggered by leakage from a piped natural gas connection, while assuring a thorough investigation to fix responsibility for any lapses.
After inspecting the blast site, Dr. Saha told reporters that an initial report received by him suggested that an internal gas pipeline provded by Tripura Natural Gas Company Ltd (TNGCL) inside the flat had been left open after installation work.
According to the preliminary findings, piped natural gas had not yet been supplied to the affected flat, although a gas connection was subsequently provided to the flat above only recently. Reportedly gas had accumulated inside the affected flat through the open internal pipeline and exploded when an incense stick as lit.
“The preliminary report indicates this sequence of events. The final conclusion will emerge only after the investigation is completed,” he said.
Dr. Saha, who also holds the Home portfolio, questioned how such a lapse could have occurred and said the authorities would investigate who installed the pipeline and whether proper safety protocols were followed before supplying gas to the upper-floor apartment.
“If an internal line had already been laid in the lower flat, those giving the connection upstairs should have ensured that it was safe. The investigation will determine who was responsible,” he said.
The Chief Minister said the incident had affected not only the flat where the explosion occurred but also five to six adjoining flats and nearby houses, causing widespread panic among residents.
He assured the affected families that the state government would extend all possible assistance and directed the District Magistrate and SDM to provide relief to those who suffered losses.
Recalling the medical efforts made to save the critically injured victim, Dr. Saha said the government had initiated arrangements to shift him for advanced treatment after learning that he had suffered nearly 90 per cent burn injuries. The Health Department had also contacted authorities in Delhi to facilitate treatment. However, despite the efforts of doctors, the victim succumbed to his injuries on Friday morning.
The Chief Minister also said the government would hold discussions with technical experts and stakeholders to formulate a comprehensive safety advisory for apartment buildings, particularly in Agartala where multi-storeyed residential complexes have increased significantly.
The proposed guidelines will focus on safe installation, inspection and maintenance of piped gas systems to prevent similar incidents in future.
Dr. Saha noted that another recent explosion elsewhere was reportedly caused by methyl-based chemicals and clarified that the Ramnagar incident appeared to be different based on the preliminary findings.
He, however, reiterated that the exact cause would be established only after the forensic and police investigations are completed.
The Chief Minister visited the blast site along with Agartala Mayor and local MLA Dipak Majumder. Superintendent of Police Namit Pathak, senior police officers and forensic experts were also present during the inspection.
The explosion occurred on Thursday inside a flat near Ramnagar 4 No. Road, reportedly used as a mathematics tuition centre and office. Three persons were injured in the blast, one of whom later died from severe burn injuries. The explosion caused extensive damage to the flat and nearby residential buildings.
