Panic gripped Dabolim on Friday afternoon after a petroleum pipeline was damaged during the flyover construction by a contractor of the National Authority of India (NHAI). It is learnt that a JCB accidentally punctured the petroleum pipeline. It was by providence that the pipeline was not carrying petroleum at the time. Though the repairs are expected to take a week, there is reportedly enough petroleum reserves for the next fifteen days.
Be that as it may, it may be recalled that in August 2011 the Disaster Management Authority (DMA) had ordered the temporary shutdown of a multi-product pipeline in the port town of Vasco following a fire outbreak. Eight persons were injured and several houses were gutted in the blaze after the Naphtha leaked from the pipeline. In June 2022 after damaging underground power lines leading to a 22-hour power outage in parts of Vasco contractors working on a pipeline damaged water pipelines in the port town leading to water supply issues. In November 2024 a major gas leakage was reported near MES College at Zuarinagar after a fiber gas pipeline was damaged by a contractor while digging a trench for a power cable. It must be said that the city of Vasco is literally sitting on a time bomb because of the various pipelines passing underground carrying petroleum products which can get damaged due to digging activities.
Utmost care needs to be taken while carrying out digging for various works. It is learnt that the incident that occurred on Friday was anticipated by the Oil Company and tight security was maintained across the pipeline to prevent any eventuality and that a police complaint was also lodged and the digging work was halted. However the contractor resumed operations despite warnings. The contractor needs to be taken to task as negligence on his part could have led to a major fire incident. It would be prudent for the contractor engaged in the digging to obtain a plan of the outlay of the various pipelines including gas, water and power cables passing underground so that damage can be avoided while carrying out digging activities.
