GAIL extends Rs 3.89-cr relief compensation for explosion victims

Following the tragic gas pipeline explosion in East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh in which 19 people lost their lives and several injured, state-owned natural gas company GAIL Limited on Sunday initiated implementation of relief measures for the affected families and villagers. 

 

The company handed over a compensation of Rs 20 lakh per deceased and Rs 50,000 each to the injured, totaling Rs 3.89 crore to the district administration. The distribution of compensation to the individual eligible beneficiaries will begin from June 30. 

 

GAIL said that pending the outcome of the enquiry set up both by the government as well as the company, two senior officials in-charge of the regional operations and maintenance of the pipeline network had been suspended.

 

“GAIL deeply mourns the tragic loss of life and property in the unfortunate incident along the natural gas pipeline of the company at Tatipaka in East Godavari district. Our executive director (human resources) Amit Ray has been nominated as the nodal officer for coordinating the relief and rehabilitation measures and closely work with local authorities, government and villagers,” said BC Tripathi, chairman and managing director of  GAIL. 

 

As part of its relief measures, GAIL will also bear the medical expenses of all the injured persons. It has set up GAIL helpdesks at Apollo Hospital and Trust Hospital at Kakinada, KIMS Hospital at Amalapuram and Balbolini Hospital at Rajahmundry where the injured are being treated. 

 

In case of those permanently disabled, Rs 5 lakh for each affected person would be put in a fixed deposit to enable subsistence benefits through monthly income schemes, the company said. 

 

“The loss of property as well as crops is being assessed in consultation with the district authorities and GAIL will be extending compensation for the same,” the company said, adding that it would also adopt Nagaram and make it a model village.