Leaking ammonia gas tanker leaves villagers uneasy

NAVI MUMBAI: An ammonia gas loaded tanker of the RCF Thal unit, which was bound for the heavy water plant of the department of atomic energy in Tuticorin, developed a leakage near Pezari between Alibaug and

Vadkhal

around 5 am on Tuesday.

The tanker driver fled the spot. Soon, many locals faced breathing problems and eye irritation due to the leaking gas.

The Poynad police then called a local driver who drove the tanker to a deserted area. The leakage was also plugged.

Assistant inspector

R N Raje

said, “The gas leakage started at the rear end valve of the capsule of tanker of in the wee hours. Pezari villagers had to be moved away from the spot. Several persons including our traffic inspector were exposed to the gas and experienced breathlessness and eye irritation.”

After the tanker driver fled the spot, the police called a local driver, Rohan Patil, who drove the tanker to a deserted area near Teen Vira dam.

A branch was pushed into the valve area to stop leakage before the tanker was taken back to RCF. The operation lasted for over two hours till 7.15 am. Even RCF experts failed to arrest the leakage.

Patil said, “I experienced breathing problems while I was sleeping. I then saw the tanker in the midst of village. I drove it back for about 3.5km to reach the RCF Thal unit after covering my face with a cloth.”

The village has around 1,500 houses and a population of 6,000. RCF Thal PRO

Dhananjay Khamkar

said, “The dip stick broke due to poor road condition. The container was carrying 15MT ammonia gas. Action has been taken against the transporter and the driver for negligence.”