Bhubaneswar, May 4: The illegal use of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) kits in four wheelers is on the rise in the capital. This has also resulted in many accidents.

On May 2, a resident of Gada Gopinath Prasad (GGP) colony sustained severe burn injuries as the gas cylinder her van was using as fuel burst when vehicle was under repair. Two others sustained minor injuries while a car parked nearby was damaged.

Fire brigade personnel said: “The van was fitted with an LPG cylinder that caught fire during repair. The cylinder exploded causing injuries to the owner of the vehicle and two others.”

Police said several such incidents have occurred in the city in the last six months. In one such incident in January, a car caught fire after the gas cylinder burst while it was crossing the Baramunda overbridge. The occupants managed to escape unhurt.

Similarly, in November last year a car had caught fire at Jayadev Square. But this time, too, there was no casualty as the driver managed to jump out of the vehicle.

In the same month, another car caught fire near Palasuni Square on National Highway-5. The incident led to a heavy traffic jam in the area.

A senior police officer said in most of these cases, the cars were fitted with LPG cylinders meant for domestic use.

“As we do not have any role to play in checking if these vehicles are using authorised gas cylinders or not, our hands are tied. It’s the transport department that checks such things,” said the police officer, requesting anonymity.

According to road transport office (RTO) sources, vehicles have to take permission from RTO for using gas cylinders as fuel. They are given commercial cylinders and kits, which cost more than Rs 13,000. But due to the high cost, vehicle owners opt for domestic cylinders or kits that cost just Rs 500.

Transport sources said in the past they had conducted many raids and fined violators but the trend continues.

According to Trinath Maharana, a mechanic and owner of a car service station, the authorised cylinders are fitted with valves that prevent the gas from flowing unnecessarily. But the domestic ones do not have the valve and easily catch fire.

“Because of stringent checking by the RTO, most of the mechanics are now reluctant to install fittings in cars for the use of cylinders,” Maharana said.

B.K. Senapati, regional transport officer, Bhubaneswar, said: “Those who use LPG cylinders without our permission will be fined if they are caught during raids,” said Senapati.