Vasai East residents were thrown into panic on Monday morning when a contractor working on a sewage system accidentally ruptured an underground gas pipeline. The incident occurred around 11 AM in front of Samarpan Society in Agarwal Nagari.
People living in the surrounding buildings noticed a strong smell of gas filling the air. Fearing a potential explosion, residents and shopkeepers rushed out of their homes and businesses. Some called the fire brigade and Gujarat Gas, who quickly dispatched technicians to the scene to assess the damage.
Fear and Chaos in the Neighborhood
As soon as the gas leak was detected, residents wasted no time in evacuating. Shopkeepers locked up their stores in a hurry, and people in the area moved to a safer distance. Some residents even chose to leave the society premises entirely until the situation was brought under control.
Samarpan Society, where the incident occurred, consists of 70 residential flats and 13 commercial shops. The possibility of a fire or explosion in such a densely populated area heightened concerns among those present.
Vikram Shukla, a resident of the society, described the terrifying moments after the gas started leaking. “There was a strong smell, and people immediately started running out of their homes. We didn’t know what could happen next, and the fear of a blast was real,” he said.
The presence of a transformer and a mobile tower just a few meters from the leak added to the residents’ anxiety. “If a fire had broken out, it could have led to a major disaster. This is pure negligence on the part of the contractor,” Shukla added.
Lack of Planning and Safety Precautions
According to witnesses, the contractor and his team were carrying out sewage-related work but did not have proper blueprints or maps of the underground utility lines. This lack of planning led to the accidental puncture of the gas pipeline.
“This is not the first time such an incident has happened here,” said another resident. “Last year, a similar mistake caused a major fire at a nearby hotel.”
The incident being referred to took place in April of the previous year when a Vasai Virar City Municipal Corporation (VVCMC) contractor damaged a gas pipeline while widening a drain. That leak led to a fire, which spread to the ground floor of Dwarka Hotel, damaging parts of the building and injuring four people.
Delayed Response and No Backup Plan for Residents
Although technicians from Gujarat Gas reached the site quickly, residents were frustrated by the long hours they had to go without a gas supply. Many homes and shops in the area rely on piped natural gas for cooking and business operations.
“We have no way to cook until the gas is restored,” a resident complained. “They should at least provide an alternative solution when such incidents happen.”
Adding to their frustration, residents alleged that the contractor failed to inform the fire brigade about the incident. Instead, it was the residents who had to alert the authorities.
“The fire department should have been aware that such work was taking place. But it seems even they didn’t know,” said another society member.
To ensure safety during the repair work, Gujarat Gas officials temporarily shut down the gas supply to two nearby buildings. This precautionary measure, though necessary, further disrupted daily activities for the affected households.
Eyewitnesses Recall the Panic
Many people were caught off guard by the gas leak, and the fear of a potential explosion left them in shock. One shop owner shared his experience:
“My neighbor came running, telling me there was a gas leak and that I should leave immediately. I grabbed my phone and rushed out of my office. It was a chaotic situation.”
Some elderly residents and children were particularly distressed by the sudden evacuation. A woman from the society described how she had to carry her toddler outside while making sure her elderly mother was safe.
“We left everything behind and just ran out,” she said. “No one was willing to take any risks.”
Accountability and Preventive Measures
Following the incident, local residents are demanding stricter regulations for contractors working on public infrastructure. They argue that every project involving digging should require a thorough check of underground utility lines.
“Contractors need to have proper maps and safety measures before starting work. They can’t just dig blindly and put people’s lives at risk,” said a resident.
Some members of the society also suggested that the municipal authorities should oversee such work more closely. They believe better coordination between the contractors, gas companies, and local authorities could prevent similar accidents in the future.
As the gas supply was gradually restored by late evening, residents were relieved that the situation didn’t escalate into a tragedy. However, their concerns about safety and accountability remain.
“We got lucky this time,” said Vikram Shukla. “But what about next time? Will we have to live in fear every time someone digs up the road?”
For now, Vasai East residents hope that this incident serves as a wake-up call for better safety measures and stricter supervision in future construction projects.
