BWSSB neglect triggers gas blast, 3 hurt

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: At least three persons including two women and a child were injured in a gas explosion during pipeline repair work undertaken by Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) in the city on Thursday. According to sources, the gas leakage from the damaged pipeline caused a fire in the kitchen of two houses in HSR Layout here.

The police said that workers from BWSSB were carrying out sewerage work in the 7th phase of HSR Layout between 9 am and 9:30 am on Thursday when one of the gas pipelines of Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL) got damaged during the excavation work. The workers covered the damaged pipeline with mud allegedly without informing the authorities. Police said that gas subsequently leaked from the damaged pipeline and entered the kitchen of a house near the excavation site.

The leakage led to an explosion in the kitchen and the woman who was cooking there sustained 25% burn injuries. Police said an adjacent house also caught fire, injuring a woman who was preparing meals in the kitchen. Two women and a child were rushed to a hospital and are currently under treatment.

The BWSSB has been accused of not taking adequate precautions which appears to be the reason behind the incident. Police have registered an FIR and booked the contractor hired by the water supply board to carry out the work in HSR Layout. An investigation is on.