Andhra govt orders probe into pipeline blast

The Andhra Pradesh government on Friday ordered an inquiry into the Gas Authority of India Limited pipeline blast at Nagaram village in East Godavari district, in which 14 persons were killed.

“I’ve ordered an inquiry and action plan to avoid these in the future,” Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, who is in Delhi, posted on Twitter. “We need a preventive plan to ensure safety,” he added.

He expressed shock and grief over the deaths and extended condolences to the bereaved families. The CM is cutting short his New Delhi trip and rushing to East Godavari to reach the accident spot on Friday afternoon.

Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan is also expected to accompany Chandrababu to the accident site. Naidu spoke to AP Deputy Chief Minister N Chinarajappa and East Godavari district Collector Neetu Prasad over the phone and directed them to provide best medical facilities to the injured.

Chinarajappa, who has reached the spot, said that a comprehensive inquiry will be conducted in the incident. “The state government will conduct a comprehensive inquiry into the GAIL gas pipeline blast in the district. All help will be provided to the blast-affected persons,” said Chinarajappa, who is also the state Home Minister.

He directed the hospitals where the injured were admitted to provide better medical facilities for their speedy recovery.

Meanwhile, GAIL Chairman B C Tripathi said rescue and relief operations are in progress at the mishap site in Nagaram village, according to a senior GAIL official in Rajahmundry. “The exact cause of the blast is not immediately known. After an inquiry only we will get the details and cause of the blast,” Tripathi said.