Traffic snarl at GB Road after tanker topples

THANE: Motorists travelling along Ghodbunder Road had a tough time on Saturday after a tanker carrying concentrated hydrochloric acid toppled at around 1am. The accident took place on the Thane-bound lane near Gaimuk. Due to this, traffic was diverted on the opposite lane, causing a lot of jam.
The tanker driver was on his way to Navi Mumbai from Gujarat.He lost control of the vehicle while negotiating a turn at Gaimukh. The tanker then skid and fell as its co ntents spilled on the road. The acid content immediately converted into fumes that enveloped the area bringing the traffic to a complete halt.
The driver fled the spot after the mishap. Rescue officials and the police rushed to the spot but they had no clue that the chemical was hydrochloric acid. They then informed the disaster management team who arrived at the spot. They then realised the gravity of the situation and started diverting traffic.
Motorists started complaining irritation of the eyes and itching sensation due to the acid. However, no one was injured in the incident, said Santosh Kadam, chief of disaster management cell at Thane. The fumes were later neutralized by spraying caustic soda.
As the Thane lane was shut, traffic was diverted on the opposite lane. Due to this a lot of traffic was reported.
The overturned tanker was somehow pushed to one side of the road making space for one lane of traffic to move but a moving tempo accidentally crashed into the upturned the toppled tanker causing further damage to its nozzle that led to further leakage and disruption of traffic.
The tanker was finally toed by 3pm on Saturday afternoon, nearly 14 hours after the mishap. Motorists complained of traffic jams on Saturday afternoon as well.
The tanker driver was on his way to Navi Mumbai from Gujarat. He lost control of the vehicle while negotiating a turn at Gaimukh.