Haryana: Probe into gas pipelines near electricity feeders
Earlier this week, a massive fire broke out in Sector 52 of the city when a gas pipeline sprung a leak. Four vehicles, which were parked in the nearby green belt area were gutted but no casualties were reported
Gurugram: Taking cognizance of the recent gas pipeline blaze in a densely-populated area of Gurugram, Haryana energy minister Anil Vij, on Saturday ordered a probe into the alleged laying of gas pipelines beneath electricity lines. Vij called the incident a serious safety lapse and said a committee headed by the additional chief secretary (ACS), energy department, has been formed to investigate the matter thoroughly.
Haryana energy minister Anil Vij, on Saturday, ordered a probe into the alleged laying of gas pipelines beneath electricity lines. (HT PHOTO)
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Vij said a full survey of Gurugram will be undertaken to determine whether gas lines and electric feeders have been placed in violation of norms. “Just two days ago, a gas pipeline was found running directly below an electricity feeder. The question is—who laid what first? This will be thoroughly investigated,” he said. “No gas pipeline should be laid beneath electricity lines, and a probe committee headed by the ACS will ensure this,” he added.
Earlier this week, a massive fire broke out in Sector 52 of the city when a gas pipeline sprung a leak. Four vehicles, which were parked in the nearby green belt area were gutted but no casualties were reported. Due to the pressure in the gas pipeline, the fire spread rapidly and nearly 40-ft-high flames started rising, creating panic among residents in the area.
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Reassuring residents about uninterrupted power supply in the coming months, Vij said, “We are fully prepared for the summer season. We have sufficient electricity and there will be no power cuts.” He stated that transformer banks and mobile response units have been stationed at substations across the state, and instructions have been issued to replace weak wires and upgrade transformers where necessary. He emphasised that all upgrades in the energy department are being carried out in a phased and structured manner.
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Reassuring residents about uninterrupted power supply in the coming months, Vij said, “We are fully prepared for the summer season. We have sufficient electricity and there will be no power cuts.” He stated that transformer banks and mobile response units have been stationed at substations across the state, and instructions have been issued to replace weak wires and upgrade transformers where necessary. He emphasised that all upgrades in the energy department are being carried out in a phased and structured manner.
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Highlighting expansion plans, Vij said the government is setting up thermal units at Khedar and Panipat. “Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently laid the foundation stone for an 800 MW ultra-critical unit in Yamunanagar. Similar expansion is being planned in other key locations,” he said. Admitting that system faults sometimes occur, he directed officials to respond swiftly to such issues.
Leena Dhankhar is Senior Editor and Bureau Chief, Gurugram, at Hindustan Times, where she has spent over 17 years chronicling the transformation of one of India's fastest-growing urban regions. From starting her career as a crime reporter to leading the Gurugram bureau, her journalism has been defined by investigative reporting, in-depth storytelling and an unwavering focus on public interest.
Over nearly two decades, she has reported extensively across crime, politics, civic governance, elections, real estate, environment, courts, sports, education and entertainment, covering Gurugram, Faridabad, Nuh and Palwal. Her reporting has exposed several major scams and systemic failures, including insurance frauds, waste management irregularities, illegal arms manufacturing units in Nuh, illegal mining in the Aravallis, organised crime networks and governance lapses affecting millions of residents.
Known for her investigative work and exclusive stories, Leena has reported on high-impact national issues, including the Nicaragua charter flight carrying Indian migrants that was turned back amid allegations of human trafficking, exposing the growing network of illegal immigration rackets. Her work has also focused on gang wars, prison administration, juvenile crime, women and child protection systems, the functioning of the Juvenile Justice Board and Child Welfare Committee, and environmental challenges such as pollution, waterlogging and deteriorating civic infrastructure.
Beyond hard news, Leena has extensively documented Haryana's rich heritage, forests and wildlife, bringing attention to the state's historical landmarks, biodiversity, conservation efforts and ecological challenges through immersive reportage and feature writing.
Her journalism has consistently gone beyond breaking news. She has documented Gurugram's rapid urbanisation through long-form narratives and enterprise reporting on issues ranging from pothole-ridden roads, flooding and waste management to the changing social fabric of India's Millennium City. She also writes widely read feature columns, including The Outsider, Changemaker, and Concern for Gurugram, profiling people, places and ideas shaping the city's identity.
Leena is the author of Gurugram School Murder, published by Juggernaut Books, a deeply reported account of one of India's most high-profile school murder investigations. She is currently working on her second book, an investigative work exploring some of India's most significant scams and fraud investigations.
Beyond print journalism, she has expanded her storytelling through public speaking and digital media. She is a TEDx speaker and has produced podcasts exploring Gurugram's transformation, civic challenges and untold stories. Her work reflects a commitment to narrative journalism that combines rigorous reporting with compelling storytelling.
A law graduate with an MBA in Human Resources, Leena brings a multidisciplinary perspective to her reporting, particularly on governance, public policy and legal affairs. She has travelled extensively across India to pursue investigative assignments, often reporting from remote locations and conflict-prone areas in search of stories that matter.
