Ullal: Hydrochloric acid leak causes panic

Ullal: A hydrochloric acid leakage from a tanker traveling from a Karwar-based company to Kochi in Kerala caused panic in the Someshwara Sankolige area along National Highway 66 on December 9. While half of the acid in the tanker was transferred, the situation remained tense until late Monday night.

Following reports from motorists driving behind the tanker, it was halted near the MRPL petrol pump between Uchila and K.C. Road. Half of the leaked acid was transferred into barrels provided by MCF. The remaining acid was to be transferred to another tanker dispatched from Karwar.

However, the transfer could not be completed by late night as the technical team had not arrived. This delay, despite the incident occurring in the morning, led to public outrage.

The tanker, which had departed from Karwar early in the morning, began leaking hydrochloric acid around 11:00 AM while traveling through Beeri towards Sankolige.

Safety Measures Taken

Attempts to seal the leakage with M-seal proved ineffective, prompting officials to inform the police and district administration. Acting under the guidance of Tahsildar Puttaraju, the Ullal Revenue Department directed the tanker to a secure location near the MRPL petrol pump.

Fire department personnel and Ullal police arrived at the scene to ensure no further incidents occurred, restricting traffic movement around the tanker.

The acid transfer operation began in the afternoon, using interior roads to avoid blocking the highway. Limited safety precautions were implemented, and vehicle and pedestrian movement remained unaffected throughout the day.

Hazards of Hydrochloric Acid

Hydrochloric acid, while non-explosive, is highly toxic. Prolonged exposure can cause respiratory issues in living beings and damage all materials except rubber. If spilled on soil, it can render the area barren for a long time. This acid is commonly used in dye manufacturing and various cosmetic formulations.