Gas tanker topples at Nanthoor; major disaster averted

Mangaluru: A bullet tanker transporting cooking gas toppled near Nanthoor leading widespread fear amongst the locals on possible gas leak on the morning hours of Wednesday.

 The police and fire service personal responded immediately and too precautionary measures thus averting any chances of gas leak. Besides, the fallen tanker was removed from the location using a carne by 8:45 am thereby preventing the possibility of causing a major traffic jam.

Loss of control caused the crash

The bullet tanker which had loaded itself with 18 tonnes cooking gas from BPCL tower was on its way to Mysuru and as it was taking a turn towards Padil road near Nanthoor along NH 66, the driver of the vehicle lost control consequently toppling the tanker at around 3:50am on Wednesday. On receiving the information the police, fire and emergency service personnel from Kadri and Pandeshwar rushed to the location and initiated precautionary measures.

Cranes were procured and the tanker was lifted. As the tanker had not suffered much damage it was driven back to the BPCL tower. The driver of the tanker suffered minor injuries and is recuperating at a private hospital in the city.

Considering the possibility of a gas leak, precautionary measures were taken and a warning message was given to all houses in the vicinity to not to switch on their stoves or electric appliances. Electricity supply to the areas was stopped. Vehicular movement along the national highway from Nanthoor to Maroli was stopped and vehicles coming from Kulashekar towards the city were stopped near Maroli Kaikamba and redirected through Padil towards the city.

The DCP’s of Mangaluru including Hanumantaraya, Uma Prashant, Kadri inspector Maruthi Naik and staff, Fire and emergency service chief officer T N Shivshanker, Zone chief officer G Tippeswamy and the Kadri fire servie officer Sunil Kuar and staff took part in the operation.