Tension in Nagai village after gas leaks from ONGC pipeline

A minor leakage spotted by the locals on the ONGC gas pipeline at Madhirimangalam in Mayiladuthurai led to tension in the area on Sunday morning.
MDMK general secretary Vaiko inspecting the spot of gas leakage from an ONGC pipeline in Madhirimangalam near Mayiladuthurai on Sunday | Express
MDMK general secretary Vaiko inspecting the spot of gas leakage from an ONGC pipeline in Madhirimangalam near Mayiladuthurai on Sunday | Express

NAGAPATTINAM: A minor leakage spotted by the locals on the ONGC gas pipeline at Madhirimangalam in Mayiladuthurai led to tension in the area on Sunday morning. Though the ONGC engineers fixed the pipeline within an hour after reporting the leakage, the situation remained tense the whole day. Officials with the ONGC, district administration and political leaders visited the site.

Sources said the smell of LPG gas was identified by the locals of Madhirimangalam from a pipeline passing between Madhirimangalam and Sethirabalapuram around 5 am. Two pipelines have been installed in Madhirimangalam at a depth of 3,250 ft to transport LPG gas from the source plants to Sethirabalapuram gas filling station.

After learning about the incident, hundreds of people visited the site. On information, engineers from ONGC Cauvery Asset reached the spot immediately and closed the gas exit valve of the particular pipeline at Madhirimangalam source plant. MDMK general secretary Vaiko and Tamil Nadu All Farmers Organisation coordinator P R Pandian visited the spot.

“The ONGC is trying to turn the delta districts into a desert. Our party will not allow this. We will stage serious protests against the public sector company until they leave Tamil Nadu,” said Vaiko, speaking to the media.

Efforts by Express to contact A P Rajasekaran, Chief Drilling officer, ONGC Cauvery Asset, went in vain.
“This is not a serious issue, minor leakage may be witnessed at times. We have fixed the same immediately. A few people are trying to blow up the issue and spreading hoax messages,” said another official with the ONGC Cauvery Asset.

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