DHADING, Dec 24: The number of gas plants in Dhading is increasing, but most of them do not meet government standard. They are being operated too near the highway, river, and human settlements. Nineteen gas plants can be seen from the highway while travelling from Dhunibesi Municipality to Benighat-Rorang Rural Municipality.
The plant set up by Siddartha Gas at Dhunibesi is just 15 meters away from locals' houses. Another plant of HP Gas, which is 300 meters far from the plant of Siddartha Gas, has a similar condition. The areas near these plants are densely populated with market hubs nearby.
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Similar is the case with plants of Shree Gas and Metro Kathmandu Gas, among others.
"We have been demanding that the gas plants be shifted away," said Dharma Raj Joshi, a local of Thakre, where Shree Gas plant is situated. "Promoters of the plant do not stay in the plant and employees do not listen to us."
Workers in the plants are also worried about their safety.
"There are no safety measures or equipment in the plant. We have to work at the risk of our lives," said Tilak Subedi, a gas plant worker in Thakre. "No skill training was given to us."