Leakage of ammonia gas creates panic in Rajkot

The leakage of ammonia gas from the tanker passing through Hospital Chowk area of Rajkot on Thursday night, created panic in the surrounding residential areas. More than 100 people were affected in the incident and were rushed to the Civil Hospital.

Majority of them reportedly suffered from respiratory track problem. However, the tanker driver managed to drive 15 km out of the city area near Para Pipaliya village on Rajkot-Jamnagar Highway.

Dr Sugandha Doshi, incharge medical officer who attended these people at the Civil Hospital, said, "Among the 12 people we have treated, majority of them complained of having breathing problem." Out of them, two were brought in serious condition and have slowly recovered now, she explained.

The gas contaminated the atmosphere in the areas like Bhomeshwar Plot, Junction Plot, Gayakwadi, Kolsawadi, Bajrangwadi and Kashi Vishwanath Plot where people were seen rushing towards the hospital for treatment. Fire Fighting team of Rajkot Municipal Corporation rushed to the spot with more than eight fire tankers and two rescue vehicles.

"We received the first call at around 21.00 hours and immediately send the fire-fighter team. Later the intensity of episode was briefed by our team and immediately 70 fire-fighting personnel was deployed to the spot." Later, the team spotted the tanker and sealed the leakage," said R K Maheshwari, chief fire officer at RMC. We continuied receiving information about the smell of ammonia being spread in surrounding areas, therefore, the team sprinkled 1,50,000 liters of water entire night and managed to bring the situation under control by early morning, said Maheshwari.

Detailing on the cargo and legal proceedings, Maheshwari said, "The tanker belongs to D Kumar & Co., and the cargo containing ammonia gas (NH3) was being transported from Gujarat State Fertilizers Corporation's Baroda plant to the company's Sikka plant, when this incident took place.

After further investigation, we found that the tanker's lid was lying on the road near Hospital Chowk area." We have informed the concerned officials and the truck will be seized and applicable legal action will be taken against the concerned company for the act of negligence. Pradyumannagar police has lodged a complaint in this connection, he added.

Meanwhile, Rajkot District Collector Mona Khadhar, who setup a committee od district supply officer along with other two mamlatdars to probe into the leakage matter, said, "Leakage of any such gas with 850 micro grams of quantity is harmful for the mankind. However, as per the survey conducted by the technical experts the gas leakage was only of 25 micro grams."