Gas pipeline fire after excavation disrupts traffic, damages shops in Madhavaram
A natural gas pipeline in Madhavaram ruptured during excavation work for power cables, causing a massive fire that disrupted traffic and damaged local property. Emergency crews successfully contained the blaze after shutting off the gas supply, and no injuries were reported.
Why it matters
The incident underscores the risks associated with urban infrastructure maintenance and the need for better coordination between utility providers.
A major fire erupted after an underground natural gas pipeline was ruptured during excavation work for a high-voltage power cable near Madhavaram on Friday. It also disrupted traffic for nearly four hours and damaged roadside shops, public utilities and a parked truck. No injuries were reported.
Officials said the damaged pipeline is part of the city’s underground natural gas distribution network, which supplies gas to households, industries and CNG filling stations in Chennai and its suburbs. The gas is sourced from liquefied natural gas (LNG) imported through the Ennore port complex and distributed via an extensive underground pipeline network.
The accident occurred on Manjambakkam Main Road when personnel of the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board were drilling the road to lay a high-voltage underground power cable. During the operation, an earthmover accidentally damaged a natural gas pipeline buried about 20 feet below the ground, triggering a massive gas leak.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in