GAIL explosion: High level inquiry ordered

"The Minister of State (Independent charge) for Petroleum and Natural gas, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan has ordered a high level inquiry into the pipeline explosion at Tatipaka in the East Godavari District of Andhra Pradesh," a government statement said.

The inquiry will be undertaken by a committee, headed by Joint Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural gas, ED, HPCL, ED, OISD, and a nominee from the National Disaster management Authority (NDMA).

The Minister, along with the Andhra Pradesh chief Minister, secretary, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural gas, and Chairman, GAIL rushed to the site earlier in the day.

Pradhan has condoled the deaths. He has expressed concern at the accident and assured that strong steps for safety and security of oil and gas installations will be taken so as to ensure non-recurrence of such incidents.

He has directed immediate rescue, relief and rehabilitation measures.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier in the day condoled the loss of lives in the fire.

He also spoke to the Petroleum Minister, Cabinet Secretary and GAIL Chairman and asked them to ensure immediate relief at the accident site.

"My thoughts with the families of those who lost their lives in the GAIL Pipeline fire in AP. Prayers with the injured. ‎I have spoken to the Petroleum Minister, Cabinet Secretary & GAIL Chairman and asked them to ensure immediate relief at the accident site," Modi said.

He also announced an ex-gratia relief of Rs. 2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund, for the next of kin of those who have lost their lives in the GAIL pipeline fire.

An ex-gratia relief of Rs. 50,000 has also been sanctioned for those who were seriously injured in the incident.

At least 15 people were killed and several others were injured on Friday in an explosion at an 18-inch pipeline of largest state-owned natural gas processing and distribution company GAIL in Andhra Pradesh.

The explosion occurred near an Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) refinery complex at Nagaram in East Godavari district.

The blast in the pipeline took place around 5:30 am due to a gas leak in the pipeline.

The fire was brought under control.

"All the steps have been taken on the site for prevention, like closing of input/output valves to the pipeline. The cause of the accident is still not known," the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural gas said.

GAIL chairman BC Tripathi also said the reason for the accident is yet unknown

President Pranab Mukherjee has condoled the loss of lives too.

In his message to  E.S.L. Narasimhan, Governor of Andhra Pradesh, the President has said: “I am extremely saddened to learn about the explosion of a GAIL gas pipeline in East Godavari District of Andhra Pradesh in which some persons have lost their lives and many others are injured.

"I am sure that the State Government and other agencies are taking necessary steps to provide urgent medical assistance to the injured and all possible aid to the bereaved families, who have lost their near and dear ones.

"Please convey my heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased. I wish speedy recovery to the injured persons."