LPG leakage: Evacuated residents in Thrissur allowed to return home

Thrissur: Residents of Manali-Madavakkara area, who were evacuated following LPG leakage in Kochi-Salem pipeline, were permitted to return to their houses on Sunday evening after ensuring that possibilities of further leakage were averted. The leakage was detected on Wednesday morning in the pipeline managed by Kochi-Salem Pipeline Pvt Ltd (KSPPL), a joint venture of IOCL and BPCL. KSPPL officials managing the pipeline said the threat of further LPG leak from the pipeline has been averted by closing the two valves on either side of the spot where the leak had developed. The pipeline stretch (nearly 12km), where the leak was observed, was filled with water.However, the source of leak in the pipeline is yet to be plugged. The pipeline, with a diameter of about 30cm, is located nearly 7m underground. It might take a few more days to exactly identify the leakage spot and plug it. Excavation will have to be carried out after ensuring no mud slips, said the officials.Residents in the area had complained of a sharp odour following the leakage. Police and fire brigade personnel later asked people staying in areas within 500m of the pipeline to move out. Power supply was switched off and traffic was banned in the vicinity.According to Nenmanikkara panchayat president V T Vijayalakshmi, about 20 families were shifted following the leakage.When contacted, KSPPL chief executive officer K Narender Babu said all 20 families were permitted to return to their houses. Power supply has been restored and traffic (for light vehicles) has also been permitted. However, members of one family, located close to the pipeline, have been asked not to use LPG for cooking at least till Monday.KSPPL chief operating officer C F Lineesh said the affected families would be given appropriate compensation after assessing the exact level of losses they have suffered.