Ammonia gas started leaking from a fertilizer manufacturing plant in Chennai. Due to gas leakage, local people complained of difficulty in breathing and nausea. After which 52 people were admitted to the hospital. Angered by the incident, people protested and demanded closure of the gas plant.
Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) said that the leakage has been completely stopped and there is no cause for concern. Officials gave this information.
“The gas leak was stopped by experts within 20 minutes. TNPCB has confirmed that there is no longer any leakage of ammonia gas,” an official press release said. Following the gas leak, TNPCB ordered immediate suspension of the operation of the ammonia offshore pipeline.
Plant will start only after receiving no objection report
The notice said work at the unit would begin only after ensuring the safety of the pipeline and receiving a no-objection report from the Directorate of Industrial Safety and Health. Apart from this, the plant will also have to take permission from the Indian Shipping Register and Tamil Nadu Maritime Board along with other instructions.
The release further said that the government has constituted a technical committee of experts to investigate the matter and submit an immediate assessment report within 24 hours and a complete report within three days.
‘Burning’ in eyes, throat and chest – people who came out of their homes at midnight
The gas leak occurred around 11.45 pm on 26 December and at midnight, some fishermen and locals present on the beach noticed unusual sounds and water bubbles from some places above the pipeline passing through the sea. After some time, ammonia gas spread in the areas of North Chennai and people faced serious problems.
Many people fainted after feeling ‘burning’ in the eyes, throat and chest. Many people were sleeping and woke up in panic after smelling ammonia and came out of their homes.
People had difficulty finding transportation in the middle of the night and used whatever vehicles were available such as autorickshaws and motorcycles to reach hospitals.
Opposition criticized the government, also demanded compensation
AIADMK chief and opposition leader Edappadi K Palaniswami criticized the DMK government for the incident and said TNPCB officials should act swiftly and take appropriate preventive measures to prevent such accidents. The former Chief Minister also demanded the government to provide relief to the affected people.
