Nagaram GAIL pipeline fire: Central committee assesses damage

A Central Government-appointed committee has visited Nagaram Village in Andhra Pradesh's East Godavri District and made an assessment of the damage caused by the Gas Authority of India (GAIL) pipeline fire tragedy in which 17 people were killed.

The committee comprising R.K. Singh, who heads the high-level probe panel, Joint Secretary (Refineries) R. P. Singh and Safety and Environment Executive Director D.K. Deshpande visited the spot and examined the damaged houses and places.

Local residents appealed to the team to provide protection and safety to those villagers who are still residing there after the mishap.They also urged committee members to take steps to replace the existing rusted pipelines with new ones and take preventive steps to avoid recurrence of such incidents in future.

They also requested the team to ensure that the gas pipeline is set away from residential areas.

GAIL authorities have met East Godavari District Collector Neetu Prasad and reviewed the status of relief and rescue operations in the village.

Kakinada Telugu Desam Party (TDP) Member of Parliament Thota Narasimham also met the committee members and requested them to provide all possible help to the affected families.

Narasimham also reportedly visited the hospital where the injured persons have been admitted.