Illegal LPG storage facility in Cuttack has come under the scanner after police busted a major illegal gas storage and refilling unit at Brahmanjharilo market. In a major crackdown, Cuttack police seized 143 LPG cylinders and arrested two persons for allegedly running the dangerous operation from a four-storeyed building near state highway-60.
According to reports, the illegal unit was operating from a multi-storeyed building located along the road connecting Phulnakhara and Niali. Acting on a tip-off, a police team led by ACP Amitabh Mohapatra carried out a raid on the premises and uncovered a large-scale illegal LPG storage and distribution setup.
During the raid, police seized a total of 143 gas cylinders. Out of these, 106 cylinders were filled while the remaining were empty. Officials also confiscated refilling and sealing equipment along with two Tata Ace vehicles allegedly used in the illegal business.
Police arrested two accused in connection with the case. They have been identified as Asit Patra and Anil Patra, both residents of Brahmanjharilo.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the accused were allegedly collecting domestic LPG cylinders from households. They then extracted the gas and refilled it into commercial cylinders for resale.
Police said the illegal business was not only unlawful but also highly dangerous. The operation was being run from a residential four-storeyed building, creating a major safety threat for people living nearby.
ACP Amitabh Mohapatra said such illegal storage and refilling of cooking gas could have led to a serious accident. The accused were reportedly selling the refilled commercial cylinders to businesses at higher prices by taking advantage of the ongoing cooking gas shortage.
This is not the first case of illegal LPG storage reported in the area. Earlier in the same week, an enforcement team led by Baranga tehsildar Tushar Jyotiranjan seized 524 gas cylinders from a farmhouse at Gangeswar in the Kuranga Sashan locality under the same police limits.
The back-to-back seizures have raised concerns over the spread of illegal LPG storage and black marketing activities in the region. Authorities are expected to continue strict checks to prevent such risky and illegal practices.
