Over 20-year-old pipelines and usage of archaic technology were primarily responsible for the gas leakage and fire accident that caused over 15 deaths besides huge loss of property near Nagaram village, Mamidikuduru mandal in East Godavari district, according to domain experts and locals.
The Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL) pipelines, in which gas belonging to Oil and Natural Gas Company (ONGC) is transported, were laid over 20 years ago and most of the junctions are exposed and vulnerable to leakages, said a senior official working with a renowned oil and natural gas company. “Firstly, the pipelines should have been replaced, at least at junctions. Secondly, there was no safety mechanism in place to identify, alert and arrest the leakage,” he said under conditions of anonymity.
The GAIL officials are apathetic towards ensuring safety standards and there was no proper follow up whenever such accidents took place earlier according to Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister of AP N. China Rajappa. After visiting the accident spot he said, “We will recommend stringent action against GAIL officials. The company apparently did namesake repairs when locals complained of leakage just three days ago.”
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Leakage of gas is a frequent phenomenon in the region and the worst-occurred leakage was the one at Pasarlapudi near Amalapuram which lasted for about two months.
Gas supplied to Lanco Kondapalli plant
A representative of ONGCsaid that the GAIL trunk pipeline was transporting gas to Lanco Kondapalli plant at 60 pressure per square inch (PSI) which is considered normal. “As per preliminary information, there was a minor leakage and gas cloud settled in the entire ground. It was ignited by one of the households of the unauthorised habitation in the vicinity in the wee hours. The outbreak of fire caused huge damage to property and flora and fauna,” said Jameel Pasha, media representative of ONGC.
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The ONGC personnel, who were located 250 meters away from the accident site, rushed along with five fire tenders and informed GAIL which in turn disconnected the supply of gas. The injured patients were transported in ONGC ambulances according to him. The GAIL officials, however, were not available for comment.