PETALING JAYA: The amount of gas released from the burst pipeline in Putra Heights, which resulted in the explosion on April 1, was enough to fill more than half a million 14kg natural gas cylinders.
This was revealed in a report by the Parliamentary Special Select Committee (PSSC) on Infrastructure, Transportation and Communication.
In the Hansard of the proceedings, Occupational Safety and Health Department’s Petroleum Safety Division director Husdin Che Amat was quoted as saying that some 400 million standard cubic feet of gas was released, based on information from the Fire and Rescue Department.
“To put it into comparison, it is akin to about 535,000 14kg natural gas cylinders,” he said, adding that it took seven seconds before the fire broke out, with 12,228 megajoules of energy emitted prior to it.
He also referenced satellite images during the proceedings, which showed increasing developments at ground zero between 2007 and 2024.
The Hansard also revealed that restoration works for homes damaged by the explosion were ahead of schedule.
For restoration works carried out at Kampung Kuala Sungai Baru, Housing and Local Government Ministry official T. Gangeswari was quoted as saying that the progress was at 65% compared with the scheduled 56%.
The progress rate for affected homes in Taman Putra Harmoni meanwhile was at 10.22%, ahead of the scheduled 2.44%.
“Repairs at Taman Putra Harmoni will take time due to the number of homes involved. In terms of time frame, a two-year period has been given for the repair works to be completed,” said the ministry’s Strategic and International Planning Division deputy secretary.
PSSC chairman Yusuf Abd Wahab (GPS-Tanjong Manis) however said the two-year period for repair works was still too long.
“If possible, please speed it up as the residents are suffering and facing difficulties.”
To this, Gangeswari said it will be relayed to the top management.
During the same meeting, PETRONAS Gas Bhd chief executive officer Abdul Aziz Othman said PETRONAS had contributed RM25mil for house restoration works for the affected homes in Putra Heights, as of June 4.
“We have been made to understand that the home restoration will be managed by the Housing and Local Government Ministry. Here, I want to appeal to the ministry to expedite this.”
