NT Staff Reporter
Panaji Oct 23: An amonia gas leakage at the ice plant opposite the north side of the Dr Ambedkar Park (below the Mandovi bridge) sent a huge gaseous cloud of acrid fumes in the air causing burning sensation in the eyes and sending panic-stricken people scurrying from the scene today evening. The incident occurred around 5.45 p.m.
According to an eye-witness at least one person fainted from inhaling the strong amonia gas while another vomited on the road. Coming two days after the Old Goa inferno, the gas leakage initially caused a scare, sending police, fire-brigade and officials from the factories and boilers running to the scene. The Chief Minister, Mr Manohar Parrikar also visited the site.
The leakage was reportedly caused due to a rupture in the pipe conveying the gas from the gas-tank to the ice-plant when an earth-moving equipment was in the process of demolishing the plant.
The ice-plant is learnt to belong to the fisheries department but leased to a private party. The demolition work was being carried out by the Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation.
The GSIDC general manager (engineering), Mr J N Chimulkar, who was at the scene said that the ice-plant was being demolished to develop a parking lot there.
Initially, fire-brigage personnel led by fire station officer, Mr Sandeep Tamankar sent huge sprays of water into the air to subdue the gas. The chief inspector of factories and boilers, Mr S Prabhudessai, said the gas is non-combustible but could be dangerous if inhaled.
The harsh gas could be smelt and burning sensation in the eyes could be felt intermittently even as fire-man kept pouring their artificial rain.
The fire-personnel, wearing breathing apparatus then located the main valve of the gas tank and procured a pipe-wrench at 7.50 p.m. But due to long non-use, the valve had hardened and they failed to close it sufficiently.
In the meantime someone summoned former Santa Cruz MLA, Mr Victor Gonsalves, who is presently the chairman of the Mandovi Fishermen�s Co-operative Society, Betim. Mr Gonsalves was on his way to a wedding at Mapusa but arrived at the scene and then called two of the technicians attached to his society�s ice-plant in Betim.
Working alongside the firemen, they finally managed to isolate the gas tank from the ruptured pipe-line at around 8.45 p.m.
The senior police officers including Panaji Town police inspector, Mr Dinraj Govekar, the superintendent of police (North), Mr Sharad Agarwal were present while the deputy inspector general, Mr Muktesh Chander visited the site.
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