M’luru: CNG pipeline work moving at snails pace; Motorists inconvenienced

Team Udayavani, Oct 24, 2021, 2:50 PM IST

Surathkal: The slow pace of laying the CNG pipeline along the National Highway 66 here is causing a headache for the locals of the area.

The highways division which comes under the control of the central government has now approved the GAIL’s CNG pipeline along the national highway 66. But the work is not moving at the expected pace.

Huge pipes are have been placed beside the service roads and in front of the buildings, which prevent people from accessing parking spots. Traffic cops have fined many for parking violations, locals say.

The recent heavy rains have further aggravated the situation. Several vehicles got stuck in the sludge and slush accumulate where the rods have been dug up.

GAIL has sub-contracted the construction of a gas pipeline connecting MCF to Mulki to private companies. Despite the light traffic during night time, the work is done only during the day when there is heavy traffic on roads.

 Traffic obstruction

The service roads connect the primary schools, high schools, PU, ​​degree colleges in the vicinity. There are temples, shrines, and mosques too. As the schools have reopened, there is heavy traffic in the morning and evening.

The lack of proper planning, roads are being dug up for the laying of the gas pipeline, many opined. Who would take the responsibility for the repair of the roads is the million-dollar question.

 Coordination needed

With proper coordination among the various government agencies and companies involved in the work, such problems could have been avoided, locals said.

Dangerous Laser Testing

Laser Testing that is done to ensure the quality of the pipeline work can be a hazard to human life. Such testing should not be carried out during heavy traffic. Rules stipulate the about 5-meter area around the spot has to be cordoned off from the general public. One may recall the incident last month where the locals stopped dangerous testing without following safety procedures.

Dakshina Kannada deputy commissioner Dr. Rajendra K.V. assured that the instructions will be issued for the early completion of the GAIL pipeline so that traffic is eased.