Andhra pipeline explosion: GAIL failed to rectify gas leak despite being told
28 Jun 2014 10:04 AM IST
The pipeline had developed a minor leak a few days ago but they failed to rectify the leak
Blazing fire after an explosion at a gas pipeline of Gas Authority of India Limited. (Photo: AP)
Rajahmundry: Speaking about the Gail pipeline explosion on Friday morning, Mr Vaka Satyanarayana, who runs a mess, said, “At about 5.30 am, we were getting ready to prepare tiffin when suddenly I heard a big sound and thick smoke started billowing from the fields. The smoke soon turned to fire and started spreading fast. I alerted my wife and workers and we started to run. Our feet got burnt on the road as it became very hot. Burning coconut leaves and ash flying around also made it difficult. We managed to reach safety but we suffered severe burns on our feet.”
Mala Mahanadu state president R. Ratnakar said, “I stay close by. A big sound woke me. When I came out I saw a huge ball of fire spreading all over. I informed district officials and the ministers.”
Reports state that the pipeline had developed a minor gas leak a few days ago and the villagers had alerted Gail authorities. However, they failed to rectify the leak. This had resulted in gas leaking slowly from the pipeline and spreading all over the coconut plantations. As the sky was overcast since morning, the gas had concentrated in the atmosphere. Due to high pressure, the pipeline burst releasing a huge quantum of gas exploding into a gigantic ball of fire.
According to another version, sources said that the fire originally started when a tea vendor lit a matchstick to light a gas stove early in the morning. The gas in the atmosphere caught fire, the pipeline burst as well, resulting in a huge ball of fire. A huge crater erupted on the bund of a canal where the pipeline burst. ONGC’s fire tenders were rushed to put out the fire, which burned for more than an hour. Five members from the tea vendor’s family are believed to be among the dead.
Deputy chief minister N. Chinna Rajappa, minister for endowments P. Manikyala Rao, district collector and other officials were camped in the area since Friday morning and and supervised rescue and relief arrangements.
Collector Neethu Kumari Prasad said, “We will take all the necessary measures to provide medical care to the injured and relief to the kin of the deceased.”
AP Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Union minister for petroleum Dharmendar Pradhan, senior officials from ONGC and Gail visited the area and consoled the victims.
( Source : dc correspondent )
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