20000331

Gas pipeline damaged

RECORDER REPORT

LAHORE: A distribution gas pipeline of Sui Northern was damaged and ruptured on Bund Road in Sanda locality here on Thursday, resulting in leakage of gas and monetary loss to the company.

Soon after receiving the information, an emergency squad of Sui Northern reached the spot and managed to bring the situation under control by repairing the pipeline well on time. No loss of life or property was reported.

The Sui Northern has held Frontier Works Organisation (FWO) responsible for causing damage to the pipeline.

According to a spokesman of the company, FWO damaged and ruptured a 16-inch dia distribution gas pipeline along Bund Road, near Sanda, during levelling and widening of road by their excavator. This, he added, resulted in severe gas leakage which, however, was effectively controlled by the emergency team of Sui Northern within two hours.

He said the repair work was carried out immediately without curtailing or interrupting gas supply to the adjoining areas.

This timely action also eliminated the possibility of loss of any kind to life and property, he said. Sui Northern has already requested FWO to deposit a sum of Rs. 54 million as a cost to be incurred by the company to relocate this pipeline to any suitable location in order to avoid any further incident, and to fulfil and meet the technical and safety requirement standard for the location of such pipeline, he stated.

He said the payment of this amount was still awaited, after the receipt of which the company would be able to start the work immediately to relocate this pipeline to a safer and appropriate location.