Supriya Ghosh (Editor)

Kallang Gasworks

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Kallang Gasworks was a collection of large tubular gas works in Kallang, Singapore, built in 1862 to supply the first piped gas in the country to enable street lighting, and ceased operations on 23 March 1998. Today, the site is listed as a Historic Site by the National Heritage Board. The area is bounded by Kallang Road, Crawford Street, Kampong Bugis and the Rochor River.

During that time, gas was produced using coal as a feedstock, and Kallang Gasworks' location by the bank of the Rochor River made it an ideal choice for convenient delivery of coal by sea lanes from neighboring countries. The Kallang Basin site formed part of Singapore's southern coastline, before major land reclamation transformed the area into what it is today. Tanks 1 and 2 were constructed with the original plant in 1862 and were in use until they were demolished in 1957. Tank 3 was built before 1900 whilst Tank 4 was built between 1908 and 1909. Gas production continued uninterruptedly for 137 years at the Kallang Gasworks, except for short breaks during the world wars. Public access was allowed for the first time on 16 March 1998 before it was demolished.

The infamous 1964 Singapore race riots broke out at the section of Kallang Road near the Kallang Gasworks.

Plans to develop the Kallang Riverside area led to official announcement in January 1987 that the Kallang Gasworks would be demolished. Today, the site is fenced up to restrict public access.

References

Kallang Gasworks Wikipedia