RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

摘要

AT least 19 people were killed and several injured in a blast in gas pipeline in Andhra Pradesh on June 27. The pipeline blast occurred in Nagaram in Konaseema area of East Godavari district. The accident left a trail of damages and many houses were ruined in the process. Gail officials handed over cheque for Rs. 3.89 crore to collector of East Godavari for paying compensation to families of victims. GAIL and the government have set up enquiries and two senior officials in charge of the regional operations and maintenance of the pipelines have been suspended by GAIL. The villagers have alleged that the pipelines had developed some problems few months ago but the GAIL officials had not fixed errors correctly leading to the disaster. Gas escaping from the pipeline was ignited when a tea vendor lit a stove in the vicinity of the gas collection station of the ONGC. The villagers of Nagaram have demanded that GCS and mini refinery should be relocated as they are now too close to the villagers' comfort. Also there is concern over the safety of several villages in the Konaseema area.