Wind blows away gas scare

SURAT, Nov 2: The mysterious gas leak that had residents of the western part of the city apprehensive and the authorities on tenterhooks for...

SURAT, Nov 2: The mysterious gas leak that had residents of the western part of the city apprehensive and the authorities on tenterhooks for the last two days ceased on Monday. No resident of Athwalines, Rander and Adajan areas complained of any discomfort.

The intensity had reduced on Sunday itself and the gas totally disappeared on Monday, leaving authorities wondering whether they would be able to locate the exact source. They had found it difficult to determine the identity and the source of the gas even when people had been complaining of discomfort.

District Collector R M Shah said representatives of all industries that produced hazardous chemicals had been asked to be present at a meeting on November 11 to discuss their emergency preparedness in case of a gas leak. He, however, said the meeting had been planned before the leak was reported.

Though the fire services of the Surat Municipal Corporation are unsure about both its identity and its source, Chief Fire Officer G M Kothwala was confident 8220;the gas definitely came from some company located either outside the city or inside it. The Collectorate ought to mount pressure on industries to ensure that they do not flout guidelines8221;.

Fire officials reportedly contacted Reliance Industries Limited, Kribhco, Gujarat Gas Company Limited and other companies to inquire after the leak, but drew a blank.

Fire officials claimed that they were inquiring into the gas leak although it was not their job. 8220;The GPCB is doing nothing about it though it has instruments to collect samples and identify gases,8221; a fire official alleged.

One theory was that the gas could be ethyl mercaptan a liquid added to LPG to detect leaks as it has a rotten egg smell as LPG in itself is odourless was shot down by GGCL sources, who said GPCB officials had inspected the company8217;s pipelines on Monday and found everything in order.

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Incidentally, just a fortnight ago, the manager and fire officer of a chemical company on the Surat-Olpad Road were summoned by the mamlatdar after villagers complained of a gas leak from the company. The mamlatdar had also directed the company to carry out a thorough check of all its pipelines and plant for any possible leakage. The collector said an inquiry into the leak was on.