Jagran Correspondent, Ranchi: A panic spread in Jharkhand's Ranchi on Sunday after a gas pipeline of the Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL) was damaged near Tatisilve, disrupting supply to surrounding areas.
Locals say that a major accident could have occurred had the situation not been brought under control in time. The incident disrupted domestic gas supply in several areas, including Tatisilve, Khelgaon, Bariatu, Booti Mod, Morhabadi, and Lalpur.
It is estimated that over 20,000 people were affected by this problem. Many homes were unable to light their cooking stoves, forcing people to rely on hotels, restaurants, or order food online.
Following the gas supply outage, a large number of consumers attempted to contact GAIL's toll-free number, but alleged they were unable to obtain clear information, leading to consumer outrage.
Consumers flag repeated problems
Many people said that the city's gas pipeline service has been experiencing repeated problems, affecting consumer confidence. However, the supply was restored late last evening after repairs.
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Multiple department lines under the same road
Locals say that underground water, gas, electricity, and cable lines run concurrently under most of the city's roads. Due to a lack of coordination between various departments, gas pipelines are often damaged during construction or excavation work.
According to reports, the main gas pipeline from Bokaro, which supplies gas to various areas of Ranchi via the Ring Road and Tatisilve, was damaged, affecting a large area.
A large amount of gas was released into the atmosphere during the incident, causing not only economic losses but also raising serious safety concerns. Local residents have demanded better coordination and security measures to prevent future incidents.