Mangaluru gas odour incident: Source of 'gas leak' still remains unknown

Mangaluru: The source of the mysterious gas odour, that city dwellers experienced on the night of February 17 from a suspected gas leak, still remains shrouded in mystery.

The District administration had instructed the DK Department of Factories and Boilers to investigate and report the source of the gas odor. The department, however, submitted a report to the district administration saying they have failed to find the source of the noxious odour despite conducting investigations on various dimensions.

The issue was also discussed at a meeting of the District Disaster Control Authority held on last Thursday, April 7. The department of Factories and Boilers again reiterated that they have not been able to identify the source of the leak.

Assistant Director of Factories and Boilers for Udupi and Dakshina Kannada, Rajesh. C. Mishrikoti, told Udayavani that the department has conducted a thorough investigation into the matter. So far, it has not found any clues to trace the origin. “The possibility of a leak from a moving tanker cannot be ruled out. If such a case is reported again, it will be seriously reviewed,” he said.

Many citizens in Mangalore city late night on February 17 had reported an unknown odour, which sparked rumors of a gas leak on social media. The odour, which started wafting after 10 pm, was reported from places like Car Street, Mannagudde, Hampanakatte, Pandeshwar, Subhasnagar, Kudroli, Kodiyalbail, Kottara, Mandarabail, Konchadi, Kadri, and Bejai.

Personnel from the police department and the fire brigade conducted emergency inspections at MRPL, HPCL, Total gas, MCF, Auto rickshaw gas stations, and gas tankers in the city. However, later the City Police commissioner informed the public that there are no signs of gas leakage.

On February 18, the Environmental Pollution Control Board also inspected for the gas leak but did not find any clues.