One Dead, Several Injured as IndianOil PNG Pipeline Damaged During RCD Drain Construction in Bihar
IndianOil had warned BUIDCO in a July 23 letter about repeated pipeline damage during drain construction in Muzaffarpur
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One person was killed and several others injured after an underground Piped Natural Gas (PNG) pipeline belonging to IndianOil was damaged during drain construction work in the Gobarsahi area of Muzaffarpur, Bihar, on Monday. The damage triggered a gas leak and a subsequent fire, causing panic in the locality.
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The excavation work was reportedly being undertaken by the Road Construction Department (RCD). Preliminary information indicates that the damage to the underground Medium Density Polyethylene (MDPE) pipeline resulted in gas leakage and the subsequent fire.
Emergency services, local police and district administration officials responded to the incident.
IndianOil Flags Lack of Coordination
According to IndianOil officials, excavation work was undertaken without prior intimation to or coordination with the company. The incident has raised serious concerns about compliance with safety procedures before excavation in areas where underground gas pipelines are installed.
The company has also highlighted repeated instances of damage to underground gas pipelines during drain construction activities in Muzaffarpur.
In a letter dated July 23, 2026, addressed to the Bihar Urban Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (BUIDCO), IndianOil had emphasised the need for advance coordination, joint identification of underground utilities and strict adherence to prescribed safety protocols before excavation work begins.
The latest incident has brought these concerns into sharp focus, particularly the risks associated with infrastructure projects being executed without adequate coordination with utility-owning agencies.
Emergency Teams Mobilised
Following the incident, IndianOil’s emergency response and technical teams initiated measures in coordination with the local police and district administration to secure the affected area, assess the extent of pipeline damage and facilitate the safe restoration of the gas supply infrastructure.
The incident highlights the potentially devastating consequences of damaging underground gas pipelines during excavation. Gas leaks can lead to fires, explosions, injuries and fatalities, posing a serious threat to residents, workers and nearby infrastructure.
Rapid Infrastructure Growth Raises Safety Concerns
The incident underscores the urgent need for government departments, infrastructure development agencies and contractors to establish mandatory coordination mechanisms with utility operators before undertaking digging or excavation work.
The identification and marking of underground utilities, advance notification to pipeline operators and supervision by authorised representatives should be integral to the execution of drain construction and other civil engineering projects.
With infrastructure development accelerating in Muzaffarpur, the risk of damage to underground utility networks is increasing. Without adequate planning and coordination, such projects can expose densely populated areas to serious public safety hazards.
The incident serves as a stark reminder that infrastructure development cannot come at the cost of human lives. Strict enforcement of safety protocols, accountability for violations and effective inter-departmental coordination are essential to prevent similar incidents.
