Precautions are taken to ensure that GAIL (India) Limited’s Kochi-Koottanad-Bengaluru-Mangaluru natural gas pipeline project is safe, according to an affidavit filed by the company in the Kerala High Court.
In an affidavit, the company said that after the mega project involving an investment of Rs.3,300 crore was commissioned and the pipeline was put into operation, there would have a close 24x7 monitoring system. This was made possible because of the advanced SCADA system (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition System) being installed as an integral part of the pipeline project.
There would be one such station in Kochi (regional gas management centre) which would continuously scan the pipeline. Any adverse things would immediately be flagged. The project envisages supply of natural gas to the household sector, commercial sector and transport sector by laying underground pipeline.
The affidavit filed by Tony Mathew, Chief Manager (construction) of the company, Kalamassery, pointed out that since natural gas was lighter than LPG, it dispersed immediately, if leaked, and chances of catching fire was far less than LPG. Therefore, the natural gas pipeline passing thorough the vicinity of a dwelling place was much safer than keeping a LPG cylinder in a kitchen.
The pipeline was laid strictly in accordance with the PMP [Petroleum and Minerals Pipe Line (Acquisition of Right of Users in Land)] Act, 1962. The pipeline was being laid by using the most scientifically advanced technology under the close and strict monitoring and supervision of satellite.
The affidavit was filed in response to a writ petition filed by a resident of Kalamassery in relation to the acquisition of his land for laying pipeline at Kalamaserry.
