Gas Authority of India Limited completes replacement of pipelines in KG Basin

Rajamahendravaram: The Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL) has completed replacement of pipelines in the KG Basin regional pipeline network with an investment Rs 419 crore in the first phase, according to M V Iyer, General Manager. The work was already started for the replacement of 183 kilometre-long pipelines with additional cost of approximately Rs 515 crore in the second phase, he added.

He made it clear that the GAIL is ready to supply gas at a minimum of five lakh Million Metric Standard Cubic Metre Per Day (MMSCMD) to all the power plants and industries in a couple of months. He announced that the GAIL has come out of technical, operational and ground level hurdles from major accident that took place at Nagaram village in Mamidikuduru mandal in East Godavari district on June 27, 2014.

Stating that probe is being conducted on Nagaram incident at the company, Ministry of Petroleum and police levels, he said that report of committees would be submitted soon. He further stated that the GAIL has already suspended former General Manager, who was in charge at that time of Nagaram blast, and some other officials.

Similarly, police, who booked cases against the persons concerned, have to submit the report, he informed. Addressing the media, Iyer said that this exercise is being undertaken to ensure safety measures in view of the aging of the pipelines. GAIL has already invested an amount of Rs 90 crore towards repairs and maintenance of the pipeline network and a total of Rs 9 crore on relief and rehabilitation programme in last one year.

He said that the unfortunate incident at Nagaram village in Tatipaka- Kondapalli region on June 27, 2014 propelled GAIL to take fresh stock of its pipelines and installations in the KG Basin with respect to integrity, safety and reliability and various measures have been taken since then by the company for upgradation and strengthening of pipeline network.