How a tampered gas pipeline triggered Agartala’s deadly apartment blast

Agartala: What initially appeared to be a mysterious explosion inside a residential apartment in Agartala has gradually unfolded into a case of suspected negligence involving a piped natural gas (PNG) connection, with preliminary investigations indicating that unauthorised tampering with the gas pipeline may have led to one of the city’s most devastating apartment explosions in recent years.

The incident occurred on Thursday (June 25) afternoon at NS Apartment located at Shankar Chowmuhani in Ramnagar, triggering panic among occupants after a powerful explosion ripped through a flat that had been converted into an office space. The blast left one person critically injured, damaged several neighbouring flats and prompted an extensive rescue operation by emergency responders.

The injured person, later identified as 33-year-old Subhrajit Chowdhury, an educator associated with SIP Abacus, sustained severe burn injuries and was immediately rescued by personnel of the Fire and Emergency Services before being shifted to GB Pant Hospital in Agartala. Despite intensive medical treatment, he succumbed to nearly 90 per cent burn injuries on Friday, a day after the explosion.

The intensity of the blast sent shockwaves through the multi-storeyed apartment complex. Residents said the explosion was so powerful that around 12 to 13 flats suffered varying degrees of damage. Doors and windows of several adjacent apartments were blown off while shattered glass and debris were scattered across the building.

Several occupants sustained minor to moderate injuries after doors, windowpanes and other fixtures were ripped apart by the force of the explosion. However, Chowdhury, who was inside the office room where the blast originated, suffered the most severe injuries.

“The explosion was terrifying. Doors and windows of many nearby flats came crashing down. Several people suffered injuries because of flying glass and broken fixtures. Fire service personnel rescued the man from inside the room and shifted him to hospital. We hoped he would survive,” a resident of the apartment said.

The affected flat was not being used as a residence. Instead, it had been converted into an office from where Chowdhury conducted cognitive skill development classes for children under the banner of SIP Abacus.

Immediately after the explosion, confusion surrounded the cause of the incident. Residents initially speculated that it could have resulted from a gas cylinder blast, a leakage in the gas pipeline or some other technical failure. Authorities, however, refrained from drawing conclusions and launched a detailed investigation.

The incident also brought the safety standards of apartment buildings under public scrutiny, with questions being raised about structural design, ventilation and compliance with safety norms.

Local MLA and Agartala Mayor Dipak Majumder rushed to the spot soon after the incident. Expressing concern over the magnitude of the explosion, he said the safety and security of people residing in apartment buildings remained the government’s foremost priority.

“The exact cause of the explosion is yet to be established. The impact was so severe that several adjoining flats suffered extensive damage. The matter will be investigated thoroughly. Safety and security of residents remain our top priority,” Majumder told reporters.

Referring to a similar explosion that had occurred near Fire Brigade Chowmuhani several years ago, the Mayor said authorities would also examine whether adequate safety provisions had been incorporated while approving building plans.

“The Agartala Municipal Corporation plays an important role in approving building plans for apartment complexes. We shall have to examine the structural aspects as well and ensure such buildings have adequate safety measures to minimise damage during emergencies,” he said.

Following the incident, experts from Tripura Natural Gas Company Limited (TNGCL), forensic teams and other investigating agencies conducted detailed inspections inside the damaged flat.

According to officials associated with the investigation, the preliminary findings point towards serious negligence in handling the PNG pipeline installed inside the office.

Investigators found that the gas pipeline connection provided to the flat had allegedly been tampered with. The mandatory safety plug or cap installed at the open end of the pipeline by TNGCL technicians had reportedly been removed. In addition, the projecting pipe had been cut short until it became almost level with the wall surface.

Officials suspect these alterations were carried out during interior renovation of the flat to facilitate installation of a wooden cabinet after the residential apartment was converted into an office space.

With the protective cap removed, gas reportedly continued leaking into the room whenever residents occupying upper floors used their piped natural gas connections.

Investigators further found that the office remained closed for most of the day except during class hours and had inadequate ventilation. Consequently, natural gas continued accumulating inside the enclosed room over an extended period.

According to preliminary findings, Chowdhury entered the office on Thursday and attempted to light an incense stick. The open flame is believed to have ignited the accumulated gas, triggering the devastating explosion.

Sources associated with the investigation also revealed that the deceased had earlier informed his wife that he had occasionally noticed the smell of leaking gas inside the office. However, the matter was reportedly ignored as it was not perceived to be serious.

Tripura Natural Gas Company Limited has, however, categorically denied allegations of negligence against the company.

An official of the company who inspected the damaged premises stated that the gas pipeline installed in the flat had been deliberately altered after installation.

“The pipeline has been identified. It was found that the section through which gas was supposed to enter the kitchen had been cut short and the mandatory safety plug had been removed. The pipe had been reduced almost to the level of the wall surface,” the official said.

The official added that all apartment owners are informed about the PNG system during installation and are advised to contact TNGCL whenever they intend to activate or modify gas connections.

Chief Minister Prof. (Dr.) Manik Saha also visited the issue after the victim’s death and expressed profound grief over the incident.

Offering condolences to the bereaved family, the Chief Minister said the government had been making arrangements to shift Chowdhury to Kolkata for advanced medical treatment but his condition deteriorated before the transfer could be carried out.

“The family had approached the government seeking to shift him to Kolkata. Unfortunately, before arrangements could be completed, we lost him. He had suffered nearly 90 per cent burn injuries, which reflects the intensity of the explosion,” the Chief Minister said.

Dr. Saha said prima facie evidence indicated that an unsecured and open PNG pipeline inside the flat was the likely cause of the explosion.

“It has been learnt that one gas pipeline had been left open in an unsafe condition. PNG connections had been provided to residential flats on the upper floors. A connection from the same pipeline network had also been extended to the affected flat. As gas continued flowing for use in the upper-floor flats, it leaked through the unused connection. No steps were taken to stop the leakage. It is presumed that the accumulated gas came into contact with a flame when the deceased tried to light an incense stick, leading to the explosion. The matter is being investigated to identify those responsible,” he said.

Expressing concern over the apparent lapses, Dr. Saha said he was deeply shocked by the negligent attitude displayed by those entrusted with the responsibility of installing and maintaining the gas pipeline connections.

Following the incident, the Tripura Government constituted a high-level inquiry committee under the stewardship of the Secretary of the Urban Development Department to ascertain the exact cause of the explosion and identify accountability.

The committee has been directed to submit its report within seven days.

Apart from the Urban Development Department Secretary, the committee comprises the Director of Fire and Emergency Services, the Commissioner of Agartala Municipal Corporation, the Superintendent of Police of West Tripura district and the Chief Engineer of the Public Works Department (Buildings).

The inquiry is expected to examine the circumstances leading to the alleged tampering of the PNG pipeline, determine whether mandatory safety protocols were violated and recommend measures to prevent similar incidents in apartment complexes across the state.

As investigators continue to collect evidence, the tragic death of Subhrajit Chowdhury has shifted public attention towards the importance of strict compliance with gas safety regulations, proper ventilation in enclosed spaces and the dangers associated with unauthorised alterations to piped natural gas infrastructure.

Also Read | Who is indigenous to Nagaland? CM Rio explains