Bhubaneswar: November 24: Three persons sustained critical injuries in an LPG cylinder explosion in Odisha’s Rayagada district.

November 2: LPG cylinder exploded in a house in Dhenkanal district. Property damaged. Inmates sustained injuries.

October 15: LPG cylinder explosion in Gop in Puri district burnt the house to ashes. Inmates suffered burn injuries.

The 3 incidents are not stray incidents of LPG cylinder explosion in the State. And such LPG accidents are not localised. Such incidents were reported from south Odisha to central and coastal Odisha. 

The State has registered as many as 74 such LPG cylinder explosions in the last 3 and half years. (January 2021 to Sept 2024). The State saw loss of 14 lives in the same period. 

Domestic LPG cyclinder blast is not unique to Odisha alone. The cases of LPG explosions have been recorded by Oil and Petroleum Supplier companies from across the states.  

NATION WIDE LPG ACCIDENTS

In the last 3.5 years, the nation witnessed loss of 473 lives due to LPG cyclinder explosion. The year wise details are given below.

STATE WISE LPG ACCIDENTS

A glance at the above data shows that Maharashtra records the highest number of LPG accidents in the country. Rajasthan, however, topped the number of casualties. In Odisha, the number of LPG accidents and casualties are on the lower side.

Here is the list of states with no or marginal (1-2 cases over last 3.5 years) LPG Accidents

• Goa
• Himachal Pradesh
• North-eastern States , except Assam
• Lakshwadeep
• Puducherry

WHY LPG ACCIDENTS HAPPEN?

As per Union Petroleum Ministry, each LPG accidents were subjected to inquiry and the reason behind was documented. The reasons after inquiry are listed below.

• Accidents in domestic LPG cylinders happen due to reasons like include pilferage from cylinders
• Transfer of LPG from domestic to non-domestic cylinder
• Use of non-approved/non-standard equipments
• Improper handling at consumer’s premises
• Not changing hosepipe periodically leading to its wear & tear
• Failure of O-rings
• Leakage from LPG hose
• Leakage from stove
• LPG cylinder bursting due to extreme heat generated during fire caused by other factors.

As per inquiry reports, majority of LPG explosions in Odisha and elsewhere were attributed to wear and tear in hose pipe and leakage from hose pipes/stoves. 

LPG ACCIDENTS ON DOWNSIDE?

The analysis of data shows decrease in LPG accidents from 2023-24 onwards. The big reason has been the following.

• Union Petroleum ministry launched the “Basic Safety Check” campaign from March 2024 following a rise in LPG accidents.
•  The campaign educated consumers on the safe usage of LPG via field safety initiatives like LPG Panchayats and LPG Safety Clinics in schools.
• On-site safety checks conducted  at customer premises
• Suraksha hoses replaced.
• Under the campaign over 8.0 crore free basic safety checks conducted
•  More than 3.33 crore LPG hoses replaced at discounted rates till 30^th October 2024.

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