Gas leak from ONGC pipeline in Kakinada sparks panic; fire controlled quickly, no casualties, but recurring incidents fuel safety concerns.
A gas leak from an Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) pipeline created panic in the early hours of Friday in Kakinada district, Andhra Pradesh. The incident occurred around 1.30 a.m. near Daryalatippa village in Tallarevu mandal when flames erupted from a subsea pipeline, sparking fear among nearby residents.
Eyewitnesses reported seeing huge flames billowing out of the offshore pipeline, which passes through the sea near Yanam, an enclave of the Union Territory of Puducherry. Alarmed by the sight, villagers of Daryalatippa immediately alerted the authorities. Police and fire personnel rushed to the spot, coordinating with ONGC teams to contain the situation.
By 3.30 a.m., ONGC officials halted the gas supply from the Krishna Godavari (KG) Basin rig. Within one and a half hours, the fire was brought under control, and the leak was plugged. Yanam Superintendent of Police, Chinta Kodandaram, confirmed that the situation had stabilized and that no lives or property were lost in the incident. Officials stated that a major tragedy was averted as the area around the leak was unoccupied when the fire broke out.
However, the incident has reignited concerns among locals who fear recurring safety lapses in ONGC’s operations in the KG Basin. Villagers are urging authorities to adopt stricter preventive measures to avoid leaks and potential disasters.
This is not the first time ONGC’s facilities in the region have faced such emergencies. Just last month, a gas leak occurred during re-drilling operations at a well in Ambedkar Konaseema district. That incident produced a high-pressure gas jet shooting nearly 20 metres into the air, sparking panic among villagers and ONGC workers alike. Quick action by ONGC’s emergency response teams, supported by fire engines positioned near the site, helped contain the situation and prevented a possible fire outbreak.
In March, another alarming incident was reported at ONGC’s Kesanapalli gas collection station in Konaseema district. A hydrogen sulphide gas leak there affected nine workers and also caused illness in a four-year-old child living nearby.
The KG Basin is one of India’s most resource-rich hydrocarbon zones, and ONGC operates multiple gas collection stations in the area. While the region holds immense strategic importance for India’s energy security, the repeated occurrences of gas leaks and fires have heightened public anxiety. Villagers and local authorities alike are pressing ONGC to implement comprehensive safety audits, stricter monitoring systems, and advanced technology to mitigate risks in future operations.
