Hyderabad faces ongoing illegal LPG cylinder refilling despite many accidents, some deadly. This activity persists without intervention from authorities.
Unauthorized cooking gas refilling is spreading, especially in the Old City. Small hotels and jewelry shops frequently use these cylinders.
In areas like Falaknuma, Chandrayangutta, Bandlaguda, and others, shops repairing gas stoves engage in risky refilling operations. These shops, often in crowded neighborhoods, transfer LPG from standard home cylinders to smaller ones, ranging from 2 to 5 kg. This practice is illegal.
These shops are cluttered with stove parts and empty cylinders. Refilling is done carelessly with low-quality connectors, risking gas leaks or explosions.
Mohammed Ahmed, an activist, points out that small cylinders are widely used by goldsmiths in Gulzar Houz. Despite past incidents, no action has been taken against this illegal trade.
Refilling shops buy large cylinders from gas agencies, paying commissions. A small 5 kg refill costs Rs 400 to Rs 500, while a black market cylinder costs Rs 1,200. Last month, a 35-year-old man was hurt in a blast while illegally refilling LPG in Kukatpally.
Despite such incidents, no strict measures have been enforced by police or civil supplies officials to stop this widespread issue. Citizens accuse the police of inaction despite numerous complaints.
K Venkatesh, a Lal Darwaza resident, urges civil supplies and police to monitor and act against these illegal activities. Additionally, many hotels misuse domestic cylinders for commercial use, causing government revenue loss.
