Meet tracks progress of city gas work, flags threats

THINK Gas, the company that implements the city gas project in the capital, conducted a utility coordination meeting at the Institute of Engineers Hall here recently, focussing on creating awareness and highlighting potential threats to natural gas pipelines, which are often at risk of damage during excavation activities.

The session was attended by representatives of Public Works department (PWD), Kerala Water Authority (KWA), Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB), Uralungal Labour Contract Cooperative Society (ULCCS), and utility contractors. A detailed presentation covering the importance of the natural gas network, progress of pipeline work in the district, and the safety measures being followed was given at the meeting.

The ‘Dial before you dig’ initiative, which urges departments and contractors to contact a dedicated helpline (1800 2022 999) before undertaking excavation work, was showcased in the meeting. The initiative helps prevent damage to underground pipelines, ensures the safety of workers and the public, and fosters better coordination between utilities.

Safety measures

The company also demonstrated advanced safety measures, including the Geofence system, which creates a virtual five-metre boundary around pipelines and uses GPS, GIS, SCADA, and VTS technologies to monitor excavation activity in real time. Any unauthorised entry is instantly flagged, triggering alerts to control rooms and mobilising field teams for rapid on-ground action.

In addition, officials were briefed on the systems put in place to protect pipelines, such as route markers, pole markers, path markers, warning mats, and pipeline chamber markers. The do’s and don’ts before and during excavation work and ways to identify gas leakage were explained. The availability of a 24×7 emergency response team to support excavation work and address incidents was also emphasised.

According to Deepu John, Deputy Regional Head–Kerala, THINK Gas, the Geofence system is a strong example of how technology can reinforce safety. By detecting unauthorised excavation activity in real time, the company can act quickly to prevent damage and protect the community, he said.