During the Smart City drain construction work, a gas pipeline was cut, causing panic in the area adjacent to Women’s College.

The drain construction work under the Agartala Smart City project is being carried out arbitrarily. Various quarters had been raising this allegation since the very first day of the project. While digging soil with a dozer for drain construction, gas pipelines of TNGCL burst at several places, creating dangerous situations. A similar incident occurred again on Wednesday in the area adjacent to Women’s College in the capital.

Drain construction work for the Smart City project is ongoing in this locality. While digging the soil with a dozer for the drain, the dozer cut through a TNGCL gas pipeline. Gas immediately began leaking from the damaged section of the pipeline. An official associated with the Smart City construction work said they were unaware that a gas pipeline existed in that area. The TNGCL authorities were informed immediately after the incident, and they arrived at the spot within a short time.

After receiving the information, TNGCL workers rushed to the site. After long efforts, they repaired the damaged section of the pipeline and brought the situation under control. A worker from TNGCL’s North Zone said they had been busy with another emergency task in Pratapgarh. After completing that urgent work, they rushed to the location. He added that the dozer accidentally cut the gas pipeline while digging.

The strong gas leakage from the damaged pipeline caused panic among residents of the area near Women’s College. Fire service personnel also rushed to the spot after receiving the information. However, residents expressed serious anger over the Smart City authorities’ handling of the construction work. According to the locals, the Smart City authorities began drain construction without any consultation with TNGCL. Many believe that the lack of coordination between the Smart City project authorities and TNGCL is what led to this incident.