DOHA: The fuel tanker explosion Saudi capital Riyadh yesterday that claimed 23 lives and left 135 people injured has raised huge concerns here with a number of people calling on the government to take immediate steps to closely monitor the movement of vehicles carrying inflammable materials on Qatari roads and make sure that their drivers strictly comply with the rules.
The threat posed by fuel tankers is particularly severer in Qatar since petroleum products are cheaper here as compared to some neighbouring GCC states including Saudi Arabia, which actually makes the country a breeding ground for diesel smuggling, say some citizens.
Trucks carrying hazardous materials are not allowed by law to move on the roads freely and a vehicle manned by security personnel must pilot each of them clearing the way for it to ensure the safety of people and property. But that rule is flagrantly violated compromising people’s safety.
Many believe that diesel smugglers paint trucks to show that they are water tankers to camouflage their sinister activity and keep public security agencies at bay.
“What has happened in Riyadh is a wake-up call for Qatar. There is the need to review the existing regulations pertaining to the transportation of hazardous materials.
“We must remember that the tragic explosion in the neighbouring Saudi Arabia has taken place on a major thoroughfare and during rush hour,” said Abdul Aziz Al Buainain, a national.
Another citizen said that the government must monitor the movement of trucks that carry hazardous materials.
But what is more important is that water tankers should also be checked, for diesel smugglers tend to carry the fuel (for illegal) sale in tankers whose exteriors they paint so as to make the vehicle look as a water tanker.
“They (the smugglers) mislead the authorities by painting a fuel tanker so it looks like a water tanker but it actually carries fuel for smuggling,” said Abdullah Al Anzi.
“That is the reason why very strict monitoring of these vehicles, including water tankers, is necessary.”
According to yet another national, Saleh Al Sahl, people on the road and those inside buildings along the roads are always under threat because vehicles carrying inflammable materials always keep plying on Qatar roads. Al Sahl strongly advocates strict checks on the drivers of such vehicles as he believes that in many a case he might not have a valid license to drive a vehicle that carries hazardous materials.
Abdullah Al Kuwari raised the issue of diesel smuggling and said the vehicles they use pose more severe threat to people’s lives and property because they are in this trade illegally and are sinister operators with no skills and awareness to drive vehicles that transport inflammable materials.
He is also of the view that the drivers of vehicles that transport hazardous materials must be provided extensive training to do their job and they must have high level of awareness about safety and security aspects of their job. Trucks generally do not follow the rules that restrict the hours when they must move on the roads.
As for mini-trucks that carry cooking gas cylinders, public representative body, the Central Municipal Council (CMC) raised the issue several years ago proposing that their movement and parking along public buildings like schools be banned.
