Govt Lists Out Measures Taken To Protect Underground Oil & Gas Pipelines

New Delhi, Dec 8 (KNN) The Government has reinforced measures to protect underground oil and gas pipelines from unauthorized digging and related risks, said Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Suresh Gopi on Monday.

In written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha, the Minister said that oil and gas companies have implemented multiple safeguards including Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems for real-time monitoring, regular security patrolling, Leak Detection Systems (LDS) and Pipeline Intrusion Detection Systems (PIDS).

Under the Petroleum and Minerals Pipelines (P&MP) Act, 1962, the construction of permanent structures or tree plantations within pipeline Right of Use (ROU) areas is prohibited, with penalties including imprisonment for causing pipeline damage. 

As part of the PM Gati Shakti program, new projects near pipelines are notified to utility owners through the Gati Shakti portal to identify potential infringements.

The Department of Telecommunications has also developed the CBuD (Call Before You Dig) application, which facilitates coordination between excavation agencies and oil and gas companies to reduce incidents affecting City Gas Distribution (CGD) infrastructure. 

(KNN Bureau)