Illegal cylinders under lens after Kumbh fire

A large number pilgrims attending the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj are using banned "non-ISI" marked 5kg LPG cylinders which, relatively cheaper and more portable than the regular domestic ones, pose a higher fire risk, an HT investigation found on Monday, a day after a major blaze triggered by a cylinder blast engulfed several tents at the world's largest religious gathering.

- Kenneth John

MAHAKUMBH NAGAR (PRAYAGRAJ):

Eyeing an opportunity amid a surge in demand, a network of suppliers of these illegal cylinders is thriving in the Mahakumbh Nagar – a temporary district created by the Uttar Pradesh government to host millions of devotees converging at the Maha Kumbh, which is being held after 12 years. Traders of these banned cylinders can be seen operating in full public glare in Daraganj, Buxi Bandh, Alopibagh, Naini and Jhunsi localities near the Mela area. Many devotees cited the "arduous procedure" in availing a temporary gas connection from registered dealers as well as the hefty security deposit, though refundable, as main reasons for buying the illegal ones.