Kakinada: The Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL) has decided to replace the entire pipeline system after examining it. The major loss of human lives was due to damaged pipeline near Nagaram village of Mamidikuduru mandal in East Godavari district.
According to sources, the affected pipeline at Nagaram was laid in 2001 and its lifespan will expire in 2016. However, it got damaged prematurely and claimed 17 lives till now and destroyed 15 acres of coconut groves. “The affected pipeline could have been used till 2016. However, in view of safety measures, the pipeline will be replaced soon,’’ said Dr A. Karnataka, the director of Gail (projects).
A delegation consisting of the executive directors (HR) Amith Ray and E.S. Ranganathan, headed by Mr Karnataka met the district collector Neethu Prasad on Saturday and explained about the incident to her. He said that Gail will pay attention to all pipelines in East Godavari district and examine it and also the pipelines would be replaced, if necessary. He also promised that a job would be provided each deceased family by the GAIL.
The collector Neethu Prasad said that she had witnessed heart-rending scenes on Friday at Nagaram village and all possible safety measures should be taken by GAIL to protect the lives of innocent people. She said that safety should be accorded the first priority and they should not be any compromises on that count. She told the GAIL officials that Relief and Rehabilitation
measures should be initiated immediately.
She said that though there were occurred many disasters by the oil and gas exploration companies, the human loss had not been done. However, now, the gas pipeline claimed 16 lives. She suggested the GAIL authorities should adopt sophisticated technology in view of the safety of people.
The GAIL director Mr.Karnataka said that all the promises made by the Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, would be fulfilled and immediate Relief and Rehabilitation measures would be taken to help the families those lost their lives or suffered injuries in the pipeline burst at Nagaram village.
He said that the compensatin would be paid as promised by the Minister to the affected families and other steps would be taken without any delay. A job would be provided for member of those familes which had suffer a loss of their bread-winners and community development programme would be taken up and the village would be developed as a model village.
