Guwahati: The Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) has allocated Rs. 8.5 crore for implementing a comprehensive Basic Safety Check (BSC) initiative in Guwahati as part of its ongoing efforts to enhance LPG safety across Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. This initiative began on March 15 and is scheduled to continue until December 31, 2024.
Business North East (BNE) spoke to an IOCL official, who said, "We are carrying out basic safety checks across households in Assam, Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh in mission mode. A budget of Rs 50 per household has been allocated, amounting to Rs 8.5 crore for 17 lakh households in Guwahati."
The IOCL official further revealed that out of 17 lakh, 13.32 lakh households have been covered in Guwahati city, with plans to complete the remaining checks by the end of the year. Moreover, this is free for all consumers.
The BSC program, aimed at ensuring the safe usage of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) in households, covers areas in lower and middle Assam, the entire state of Meghalaya, and four districts in Arunachal Pradesh.
A Basic Safety Check includes essential inspections such as verifying the condition of LPG cylinders for damage or leakage, ensuring that seals are intact, and confirming that regulators and rubber hoses are properly fitted and free of damage. The check also involves assessing the burner for blockages or malfunctioning components, checking ventilation for safe gas dispersal, and performing leak tests using soapy water. Customers are also educated on safety practices, such as turning off the regulator after use and immediately reporting leaks.
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In addition to the safety checks, IOCL emphasizes the importance of replacing Suraksha hosepipes every five years. The Suraksha hose, which connects the gas cylinder to the stove, can degrade over time, increasing the risk of leaks and potential accidents. Replacing these hoses regularly is part of IOCL's commitment to ensuring consumer safety.
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The program also highlights the responsibilities of customers to periodically replace safety components, engage certified technicians for inspections, and report issues to IOCL distributors. By promoting regular safety checks, the BSC initiative helps reduce the risk of accidents, improve the overall performance of LPG installations, and build consumer confidence in the safety of their household gas systems.
More than 132,000 Basic Safety Checks have been conducted in seven sales areas under the Guwahati Indane Divisional Office, and over 277,000 Suraksha hoses have been replaced. This ongoing effort underscores IOCL’s dedication to safety, with the program set to continue until the end of 2024.
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