Green Gas and LESA set for a showdown?

LUCKNOW: Green Gas Limited and the Lucknow Electricity Supply Administration (LESA) could be heading for a showdown after a gas pipeline in Gomti Nagar extension area was damaged by LESA staff.

The incident occurred while a cable was being repaired after a power outage on Wednesday night. Piped natural gas (PNG) worth lakhs of rupees was wasted besides putting at risk lives of the residents of the area. Green gas is now looking at claiming a compensation of ` 5 lakh from LESA.

An official of Green Gas Limited, on condition of anonymity said “LESA should have informed us after breaking our pipeline, which supplies kitchen gas to residents of Gomti Nagar extension.”

However, officials from LESA said that their cable had been laid in the area much before Green Gas laid down their pipeline. “At the time of laying down the pipeline, they should have kept a safe distance from our cables,” said an official. “During the time of a power cut, there is extreme pressure of public to restore the supply, so cables have to be repaired immediately,” he added.

General manager, LESA, SK Varma said, “Why didn’t they see any threat from LESA cables while laying down the PNG line in the area? Didn’t they know about the possibility of the pipeline catching fire due to heated cables? Our staff was surprised when the line broke. They immediately informed officials of Green Gas.”

He added, “Green Gas must shift its line away from the cables laid by LESA or such incidents may recur.”

Varma further said, “Green gas must mark their pipeline so that the next time whenever roads are dug up (to repair cables), the gas pipeline can be saved.”