Three Dead in CNG Cylinder Blast at Tikri Kalan Filling Station
Three filling station employees were killed and three other people were injured in a CNG cylinder explosion at a fuel outlet near the Tikri Kalan metro station in Delhi on Wednesday afternoon.
Indraprastha Gas Limited (IGL), Delhi’s natural gas distributor, said on Thursday that preliminary findings indicated the commercial truck involved in the explosion was authorised to carry six CNG cylinders but appeared to have been carrying additional cylinders.
The blast took place on Wednesday afternoon while compressed natural gas was being refilled into the commercial vehicle at the Aadhya Energies IGL CNG station. The three victims who lost their lives were identified as station employees Manish, 25, Brahmjeet, 34, and Sunny, 30.
IGL said that relevant authorities are investigating whether the additional cylinders on the vehicle were authorised and are working to determine the precise cause of the blast. The distributor expressed deep sadness over the loss of lives following the incident.
“IGL is following all protocols applicable in case of such incidents. We are steadfast in our commitment to upholding the highest safety standards and ensuring strict compliance with Standard Operating Procedures,” the company said in an official statement.
A case of negligence has been registered by the authorities in connection with the incident.
Following the blast, a human rights activist approached the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) seeking an independent examination into the circumstances surrounding the fatal incident. The complaint filed before the commission has sought an Action Taken Report from the authorities.
The plea raised questions regarding safety protocols, CNG cylinder certification and testing, mandatory inspections, fire-safety compliance, emergency preparedness, and regulatory oversight. It also sought the preservation of CCTV footage and other evidence, the examination of licensing and inspection records, and the verification of cylinder testing records to determine if there was any prima facie negligence or dereliction of duty by public authorities.
