Centre allows airlifting of special chemical to check further damage at gas leak factory

The Centre on Thursday allowed airlifting of a special chemical from Gujarat to avoid any further damage at the factory in Vishakhapatnam, where the gas leak took place, officials said.

The move came after LGPolymers India Pvt. Ltd requested the central government for airlifting 500 kg of chemical PTBC from Daman airport to Vishakapatnam which would be useful in avoiding any further damage due to the leakage of Styrene gas.

The consignment was sourced from Vapi in Gujarat, an official said.

On receipt of the request, the issue was taken up by Union Minister of State for Home G Kishan Reddy with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who instantly instructed the authorities to facilitate the airlifting of the chemical, the official said.

It is learnt that the chemical has already been dispatched to Vizag along with movement of chemical handling.

This substance helps in neutralising the Styrene monomer and this will immediately help in managing and controlling any further damage due to this gas, another official said