The Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL) which has laid underground natural gas supply pipelines in Goa recently has issued a public notice warning against encroachment of overlying land raising public safety concerns in some quarters. It is pertinent to note that there have been several instances of underground water pipelines rupturing and underground electricity cables being damaged due to digging activities along the road in the State. The pipelines supplying gas are carrying highly inflammable and hazardous natural gas.
Rupturing of these gas pipelines due to digging activities can have greater disastrous consequences as compared to damage to water pipelines or underground electric cables. Hence extreme caution needs to be taken while carrying out digging activities. The gas which escapes due to damage to the pipeline can catch fire with disastrous consequences. It would hence be prudent to carry out mapping of the underground pipeline carrying natural gas and installation of signage. Digging activities being carried out for unauthorized illegal construction could be the biggest threat of damage to underground pipelines carrying natural gas. There could be a lot of encroachment of land taking place which is being used for building purposes. This land which has been encroached could be passing over a pipeline supplying natural gas. Extreme precaution also needs to be taken by the concerned department while digging roads for sewerage and other works.
