Panaji/Vasco: The natural gas pipeline laid at Zuarinagar was damaged by workers who were digging the road, prompting authorities to shut down the pipeline and undertake emergency repairs. The pipeline was installed by Indian Oil and Adani Gas Pvt Ltd to supply domestic piped gas, said officials.
The Vasco fire station received a call for assistance around 5.55pm. According to fire and emergency personnel, the leakage was reported near Ayyappa temple at Zuarinagar.
“Adani personnel called us to tell us that the pipeline has been damaged. The situation was handled by them, and the pipeline is being repaired,” said a fire department official.
The pipeline was damaged when a contractor engaged by the Indian Navy began digging up the road, said sources.
“The machinery involved in digging accidentally damaged the underground gas pipeline,” said fire department personnel who were on the site.
To avert any untoward incident, Goa police and the fire department cordoned off the area.
As a safety measure, the gas pipeline was temporarily sealed while the leakage was blocked.
Authorities did not evacuate the area as the situation was not deemed to be dangerous. However, the incident reminded locals of the leakage in the Zuari Indian Oil Tanking Limited petroleum pipeline in Dec 2023. The leakage contaminated the groundwater and domestic wells at Matvem-Dabolim.