New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Friday announced an ex-gratia of Rs.2 lakh each to the next of kin of those killed in a gas pipeline disaster in Andhra Pradesh.
“This is in addition to the relief assistance given by the petroleum ministry and GAIL,” an official statement said. Officials said at least 14 died in the explosion and fire.
Announcing the sanction from the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund, Modi also announced an ex-gratia of Rs.50,000 to those seriously injured in the incident in East Godavari district.
Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his grief over the death of 14 people in gas pipeline blast.  The blast bursted and caused fire to an 18-inch pipeline of state-owned Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL) near a refinery of the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) in East Godavari district.
“My thoughts with the families of those who lost their lives in the GAIL pipeline fire in Andhra Pradesh. Prayers with the injured,” Modi tweeted.
The prime minister said he has spoken to the petroleum minister, the cabinet secretary and the GAIL chairman and has asked them to “ensure immediate relief at the accident site”.
The blast took place in Nagaram village in Mamidikuduru mandal of the coastal district, about 550 km from Hyderabad.
State Finance Minister Y. Ramakrishnudu said 14 people were killed and many others were injured when the fire broke out early Friday.