An alarm has been raised over gas cylinder distribution trucks being parked in residential areas, with Southern Municipal Council members warning that the current situation could lead to a catastrophic accident if not addressed immediately.
They have urged authorities to enforce regulations and relocate these vehicles to safer, designated zones.
The issue is most pressing in Isa Town, where residents have reported multiple trucks belonging to gas supply companies parked on narrow streets, close to residential buildings and schools.
Some of the trucks have been seen near the Isa Town Intermediate School for Girls, causing concern among parents and community members.
“There are several of these vehicles parked along residential roads, many of which are in poor condition and clearly not being monitored,” said area councillor Abdulla Daraj, who conducted a field visit to assess the situation first-hand.
“These trucks are carrying compressed gas cylinders and the risk of leakage or explosion is real and imminent.”
Mr Daraj said he has received multiple calls from residents, many of whom are parents worried about their children’s safety.
He emphasised that some of the homes in the area house groups of expatriate bachelor workers and are not structurally sound, which adds another layer of risk in the event of an explosion.
“We cannot afford to be complacent,” said the councillor.
“A single spark, a single cylinder leak, and we could be dealing with a tragedy beyond comprehension. This is not fear-mongering – this is based on real precedent.”
He referred to the gas explosion in Arad in February this year when a gas cylinder leak led to an explosion that caused a two-storey building to collapse, killing two people and injuring six others.
“The Arad incident should have been a wake-up call for all of us,” Mr Daraj said.
“How many more lives need to be lost before we treat this matter with the urgency it demands?”
The councillor called on the Industry and Commerce Ministry, which regulates gas distribution companies, to strictly prohibit the parking of trucks in residential areas.
He also urged the Interior Ministry to assist with enforcement and possibly consider temporarily impounding violating vehicles.
“We are not against these companies earning a living,” he clarified. “But their operations must not come at the cost of public safety. There needs to be a proper depot system – perhaps in industrial areas – where these vehicles can be stationed, monitored and inspected regularly.”
Residents have echoed the councillor’s concerns.
Fatima Al Shehabi, a mother of two girls attending the school near which some of the trucks were found parked, said she was afraid to let her children walk to class alone.
“Every morning I pass these trucks, and I get scared,” she said.
“What if something happens during school hours? We need these trucks moved, not tomorrow – today.”
Council chairman Abdulla Abdullatif supported the call and confirmed that the matter would be urgently escalated to the relevant ministries.
“This is not an isolated issue,” he noted.
“We’ve seen similar complaints from other parts of the Southern Governorate, and it’s time we adopt a national framework to deal with this risk.
“The council is planning to propose a motion calling for designated parking areas for gas delivery vehicles, mandatory safety inspections, and an awareness campaign for residents on how to report unsafe storage of gas cylinders.”
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