LPG tanker fall triggers gas leak fears

Visakhapatnam: An LPG tanker belonging to HPCL, carrying 16 tonnes of liquified petroleum gas, fell from a bridge near Gosthani river on NH-16 stretch near Tagarapuvalasa under Bheemili police station limits near the city in the early hours of Sunday. Fortunately, a major mishap was averted as the gas did not.

Highlights:

• The tanker carrying 16 tonne gas tumbled onto the dry river bed of Gosthani river from a bridge
• News spawned rumours of gas leak, but later police, fire personnel and HPCL official dispel them

However, with the rumours of gas leaking from the tanker, panic spread among the motorists and residents in the area. They sighed a heave of relief after the announcement of police, fire service personnel and technical staff of HPCL that there was no danger.

ntrol over the vehicle allegedly due to over speed and drowsiness. The truck rammed into the railing of the bridge and tumbled on to the dry river bed. The driver escaped with minor injuries and later fled from the spot.

Police led by R Nagaraju rushed to the spot to regulate the traffic in the area following the rumours that the gas had leaked out of the tanker. Police said that the tanker was heading towards Bokaro from HPLC Petro Park. Police and fire service personnel drawn from the various stations rushed to the spot and sprayed water as a precautionary measure to prevent fire in case of gas leakage.

A safety team from HPCL supervised the lifting of the tanker and efforts to prevent possible leak of the gas. It is the second such incident on NH-16 stretch in the city in the past two years. In October 2015, LPG tanker, carrying 17 tonne LPG, fell on its side while negotiating a curve on NH-16 stretch near Venkojipalem area in the city.