Gas leaks near Kakinada port

According to sources, news spread around at Kumbabhishekam near Kakinada Port that gas was leaking. The feared locals ran away from the place. Nevertheless, the port officials informed that it was the release of air from one of the ships that has created the commotion. More details in the matter are awaited.

It is worth recollecting that on June 27, a massive explosion on a state-owned gas pipeline running through Andhra Pradesh killed at least 16 people and gutted scores of homes. The live pictures presented on all major television channels showed flames at least 20 metres high diving into the dawn sky, baking trees in a surrounding coconut grove in the coastal area where many live in insubstantial huts. Also, the fire on the 18-inch pipeline owned by the Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL) was extinguished by mid-morning and the gas had been cut off. It was a case of true negligence, as opined by the experts. There is a need to take up all such matters seriously so that the preventive measures could be undertaken to avoid all such untoward incidents.