Experts and officials of Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company Ltd (TGTDCL) rushed to the spot to repair the pipeline. The authorities have suspended gas supplies through the pipeline that connects Tongi-Ashulia-Aminbazar.

Sources said industrial gas supplies will remain suspended until the repair works are completed.

"We are expecting to complete the repairs by tomorrow noon," said an official of Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company Limited (TGTDCL).

"A trawler accidentally hit the pipeline while it was trying to anchor in the evening," he added.

The 12-inch pipeline was "dubiously" installed above the ground in the 80s, though the standard practice is to install all gas pipelines under the ground for safety reasons.

"Any gas pipeline installed above the ground may develop cracks and cause leakages. There is no explanation why this was installed in this way," said the official.

He said this pipeline had developed similar cracks in 2000. Following its repair, the experts had advised the authorities concerned to lay the pipeline under ground, otherwise a similar or worse disaster might take place. But the authorities did pay heed to it.