Power supply in Chittagong

A report on the above subject published recently in a local English daily is a depressing matter for the people of Chittagong. By and large, the power plants are old, and the maintenance and repair, testing and operation condition is poor. In one plant, it was stated that after a long stoppage, for lack of natural gas; it only went into operation on March 19th, and on March 26th it had to be shut down again for "burst of boiler"! The incident of "boiler burst" could be for any of the following reasons: a) Not "hydraulic tested" after may be enforced stoppage on load, because of stopping of fuel supply abruptly without notice! b) Malfunctioning boiler main stop valve to steam header; or improper setting or functioning of safety valve, c) Improper boiler firing, or burner operation or feed water supply to boiler or malfunctioning boiler water level indicator or water level controller. These are mechanical malfunction, which can be determined by qualified and skilled operators, much before any serious accident like "bursting of the boiler tubes or shell"; that must have happened leading to such a serious and dangerous accident! All said and done; it could well have been the usual "penny wise, and pound foolish" decision in the repair and maintenance of the boiler; usually associated with public sector operation norms! SA Mansoor Dhaka.