Agartala, June 26: Tripura Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha on Friday said the preliminary investigation into Thursday’s deadly explosion at a residential flat in Agartala’s Ramnagar area suggests that the blast may have been caused by leakage from a piped natural gas connection. He assured that a comprehensive investigation would be carried out to identify those responsible for any negligence.
After visiting the blast site, Dr. Saha told reporters that an initial report indicated an internal gas pipeline installed by Tripura Natural Gas Company Ltd. (TNGCL) inside the affected flat had reportedly been left open after installation work.
According to the preliminary findings, piped natural gas had not yet been supplied to the damaged flat. However, a gas connection was recently provided to the apartment on the floor above. Officials suspect that gas accumulated inside the lower flat through the open internal pipeline and ignited when an incense stick was lit, triggering the explosion.
“The preliminary report indicates this sequence of events. The final conclusion will emerge only after the investigation is completed,” the Chief Minister said.
Dr. Saha, who also holds the Home portfolio, questioned how such a lapse could have occurred and said investigators would examine who installed the pipeline and whether all mandatory safety protocols had been followed before the upper-floor connection was activated.
“If an internal line had already been laid in the lower flat, those providing the connection upstairs should have ensured it was safe. The investigation will determine who was responsible,” he said.
The Chief Minister said the explosion damaged not only the affected flat but also five to six adjoining apartments and nearby houses, causing panic among local residents. He directed the District Magistrate and Sub-Divisional Magistrate to provide immediate relief and assistance to the affected families.
Recalling the medical efforts made to save the critically injured victim, Dr. Saha said the government had arranged for advanced treatment and coordinated with authorities in Delhi after learning that the victim had sustained nearly 90 per cent burn injuries. However, the victim succumbed to injuries on Friday morning.
The Chief Minister also announced that the government would consult technical experts to formulate comprehensive safety guidelines for apartment buildings, focusing on the installation, inspection and maintenance of piped gas systems to prevent similar incidents.
The explosion occurred on Thursday at a flat near Ramnagar 4 No. Road, reportedly used as a mathematics tuition centre and office. Three people were injured in the blast, one of whom later died, while the explosion caused extensive damage to the flat and neighbouring residential buildings.
