MLA asks officials to ensure safe transportation of chemicals

Newly elected MLA P T Thomas today asked authorities here to ensure safe transportation of chemicals through densely populated city areas, a day after ammonia gas leaked from a barge near here.
Talking to reporters along with Kochi city Mayor Soumini Jain, the senior Congress leader emphasised the need for enhancing the disaster preparedness to tackle such situations.
"The Fertilisers and Chemicals Travancore Limited (FACT) and Cochin Port Trust should ensure safety and security before transporting chemicals like ammonia through the city premises," Thomas, who represents Thrikkakkara Assembly constituency, said.
Over 50 people had complained of breathing problem, nausea and irritation in the eye after breathing the gas, Jain said.

"None of them are serious. Many of them were discharged after giving initial medical aid. One or two people, who are heart patients, are under observation in a city hospital," she said.
The ammonia gas leak, which occurred late evening yesterday, was contained after five-hours.

Several families living in the two-kilometre radius site of the incident were evacuated to safer places by the district administration as a precautionary measure.
The barge carried over 90 tonnes of ammonia and it started leaking when it was passing through a canal.
The gas was being taken to the FACT at Eloor from Willingdon Islands here through the canal.