Vadodara: A major disruption in Vadodara’s piped gas supply on Sunday led to strict action against a contractor after the main steel gas pipeline of Vadodara Gas Limited (VGL) was severely damaged during drainage work near Golden Chowkdi.

Vadodara Gas Limited, a joint venture between GAIL Gas Limited and the Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC), imposed a ₹60 lakh penalty on the contractor for gross negligence that resulted in a major breach of the city’s primary gas supply pipeline.

According to VGL officials, the incident occurred when the reamer used for laying a new VMC drainage line accidentally struck the main steel gas pipeline running from Amaliyara to Vadodara. The resulting gas leakage immediately alerted workers on-site, but by then, the damage had caused a significant interruption in supply.

Due to the rupture, gas supply to around 2.75 lakh consumers across the city had to be shut off.

VGL sources said the ₹60 lakh fine serves as a strict warning against negligence in civic works, especially in areas where multiple underground utilities overlap.