Nayana J C
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru
Mangaluru, June 3: A potentially major disaster was narrowly averted in Kandavara village after an HPCL LPG pipeline was found dangerously exposed during desilting work in a public drainage canal near Bailupete Mosque, raising serious questions over the safety standards followed in the installation of underground fuel pipelines.
The incident came to light during voluntary desilting work undertaken in a large public drainage canal that carries rainwater into the Phalguni River. The canal, which had become heavily silted over the years, was being cleaned using a JCB excavator at the personal expense of local resident Harish Shetty of Ethamogaru Doddamane.
During the operation, the excavator reportedly struck the HPCL LPG pipeline, exposing a section of the gas line. Residents were shocked to discover that the pipeline had been laid at a depth of barely two-and-a-half feet below the surface, describing it as a serious threat to public safety.
According to locals, a nearby GAIL gas pipeline runs at a depth of nearly 10 feet, while a Petronet diesel pipeline in the same area has also been laid much deeper underground. They contend that the inadequate depth of the HPCL pipeline was the primary reason the line was struck during the desilting work.
Expressing concern over the risk posed by the pipeline, Harish Shetty urged the company to relocate it to a safer depth of at least 10 feet and provide additional protection through a concrete covering.
“The pipeline's current position is extremely risky. Proper safety measures must be implemented before another accident occurs,” he said.
The drainage canal falls within the jurisdiction of Adyapady Panchayat and serves as a major water channel for three villages. Local leaders criticised private companies for executing infrastructure projects without adequately consulting farmers, residents and local governing bodies.
Former Kandavara Grama Panchayat president Vijaya G. Suvarna and former Panchayat member Jeevan Malli warned that negligence in implementing safety standards for highly inflammable products such as LPG and petroleum could have catastrophic consequences. They demanded immediate corrective action and cautioned that public protests would be inevitable if the issue remained unresolved.
Following complaints from Panchayat members and residents, HPCL Safety Officer Nayan Pal visited the site and held discussions with local stakeholders. He said the pipeline had been installed around 10 years ago and acknowledged that geographical conditions in the area had changed over time.
“We will immediately undertake repairs to the damaged section of the pipeline. I will also submit a report to senior officials recommending deeper installation of the pipeline and the provision of a concrete protective layer above it,” Pal assured residents.
Narrow escape from major accident
Residents pointed out that the incident could have resulted in a devastating accident. In a worrying coincidence, a small fire had broken out in nearby vegetation on the same day the desilting work was being carried out. Had the pipeline ruptured completely during excavation, escaping LPG could have triggered a major fire or explosion, posing a grave threat to lives and property in the surrounding area.
Fortunately, no injuries or damage were reported. However, the incident has renewed calls for stricter monitoring of underground fuel infrastructure and greater accountability from companies handling hazardous materials.
The exposed pipeline has become a stark reminder of the importance of adhering to safety norms in public utility projects, particularly in densely populated and agriculturally significant areas.