Full compensation paid to kin of GAIL pipeline blast victims: AP govt

Rajahmundry: Full compensation of Rs 25 lakh each has been distributed to the kin of all 22 victims of the Nagaram gas pipeline blast tragedy, Andhra Pradesh deputy Chief Minister N Chinna Rajappa said on Monday. [caption id=“attachment_1679581” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] The GAIL pipeline blast had taken place on 27 June. PTI[/caption] “The blast had claimed 22 lives. A full compensation of Rs 25 lakh has been paid to the next-of-kin of each deceased in three phases. Besides, a compensation of Rs 5.5 lakh has been paid to each of the injured persons and of Rs 5 lakh to those who lost their houses in the incident,” the minister said while addressing a meeting of East Godavari district Zilla Parishad here. The blast occurred in the pipeline of the state-run Gas Authority of India (GAIL) in Nagaram village of the district on 27 June, apparently after a tea vendor lit a stove. The explosion had set off flames, at least 30 feet high, leaping into the sky, scorching trees in a surrounding coconut grove and burning huts that came in their path. Chinna Rajappa, who also holds Home portfolio, said that a compensation of Rs 800 has been paid to farmers for each coconut tree they lost in the fire. He said the state government has taken all necessary steps to provide employment to one person each from the family of the deceased. “The government is also bearing medical expenses of the injured persons,” he added. “Steps will be initiated to maintain the gas pipeline as per international standards and a third party inquiry has already been ordered. Appropriate action will be taken on the basis of the findings of the inquiry and we will take a call on starting gas supply only after receipt of the report,” the minister said. East Godavari district Collector Neetu Prasad said that a call centre has been set up in the office of the Deputy Chief Inspector of Factories in Kakinada, to receive and forward real-time information in case of any mishap in future. “Engineers India Limited (EIL) has undertaken a survey on the condition of the gas pipeline in the district. We will take necessary steps, including replacement of pipeline, wherever necessary, after the survey is conducted,” she said. PTI