In Amritsar, gas pipeline work at snail’s pace; commuters hassled
The execution of Rs 600 crore gas pipeline project is going on at a snail’s pace, thereby causing hassles for the commuters on roads where the iron-made pipes are being laid in the city.
Presently, the work of laying the pipes is underway on Sultanwind Road and behind interstate bus terminal. However, the pipes which are to be laid in the ground are lying in the middle of the road for around a month due to which, the commuters face inconvenience as the area is too congested and over-populated.
As per the project proposal, 150 kms pipeline is to be laid across the city. But as a trial, only five kms are to be covered to check the success of the project. The work had begun in December last year from Sultanwind canal. Starting from the canal, the pipeline will pass through Sultanwind Chowk, Moranwala Chowk, Hussainpura Chowk, back side of bus stand and SSSS Chowk will be the end point.
Officials of the municipal corporation (MC) told HT that only till now, pipes have been laid in only two kms. On the condition of anonymity, they admitted that the project is going on at a snail’s pace. When asked about the reason, they said sewer damage was the main reason behind the delay.
Endorsing this reason, unofficial sources said that sewer pipelines that contain poisonous gases are only two-foot away from the pipeline being laid to supply the LPG gas, thereby posing a risk to human life as well as delaying the project.
An official also said that the pipes are very long (each pipe is 12 metres long), adding that four such pipes are attached together before laying. Then, the joints of the pipes are checked minutely by filling water and through X-ray techniques. Due to these tasks, the process takes long, he said.
Prior to this, the work was halted as the officials of the corporation allegedly remained busy in accomplishing their duties assigned for Punjab assembly elections.
However, they also insisted that the firm which has contract of the project should increase the pace of the project.
The Union ministry of petroleum and natural gas is executing the project to supply LPG to houses through pipes. It is expected to supply the cooking gas to 2.5 lakh residents. Apart from this, 10 stations of compressed natural gas (CNG) will also be set up in the city to supply clean fuel for vehicles.