Mumbai Gas Leak: No leak at Mahanagar Gas, RCF; exact source still unknown
BMC officials are yet to ascertain the exact source of the ‘gas leak’ as both Mahanagar Gas Limited & Rashtriya Chemical Fertiliser have denied any leak in their plants
Fear and panic gripped parts of Mumbai on Thursday night after reports of a mass ‘gas leak’ started doing rounds on social media and WhatsApp.
Both Mahanagar Gas Limited (MGL) and Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) received several complaints of a gas odour from concerned citizens.
A total of 29 complaints were received by the 1916 control room regarding an unknown odour, which has considerably reduced now, BMC officials said.
The foul and pungent odour started emerging after 10 pm from places like Chembur, Mankhurd, Marol, Govandi, Chandivali, Powai, Ghatkopar, Andheri, Kandivali, and Borivali.
Several netizens took to social media to complain about the purported gas leak last night
After taking the cognisance of the complaints, natural gas distribution company MGL dispatched emergency teams to sites from where complaints were received.
“Apart from the nine fire engines, four emergency vans of MGL have been mobilised. If you still notice the odour please dial 1916 gas leak,” the MGL said.
When asked about the breach in the pipeline system, MGL said, “So far we have not come across any breach in our pipeline system which could result in leakage of gas.”
Meanwhile, BMC tweeted that it has received complaints from citizens about an odour of some unknown gas in eastern and western suburbs. “MCGM has mobilized all concerned agencies. For any queries, please call 1916,” it said.
A total of 29 complaints were received by the #1916 control room regarding an unknown smell, which has considerably reduced now. Apart from the 9 fire engines, 4 emergency vans of MGL have been mobilised. If you still notice the odour please dial 1916 #gasleak #MCGMUpdates
— माझी Mumbai, आपली BMC (@mybmc) September 19, 2019
Initially, BMC’s Disaster Management Cell attributed the leak to Rashtriya Chemical Fertiliser’s (RCF) Chembur plant. The development was reported by several media platforms and the news spread like wildfire.
However, it retracted the statement hours later. RCF spokesperson Sanjay Jagtap also denied reports of any leak in the plant.
MGL and BMC continued to share updates with netizens on Twitter through the night. The updates, however, evoked a mixed response from netizens, with some welcoming the timely updates and others deeming the action inadequate.
Although no injuries were reported due to the leak, several persons complained of nausea and vomiting.
As of Friday morning, the odour is long gone. However, officials are yet to ascertain the exact source of the gas leak. The working theory at this point is that the gas leaked from a tanker instead of a pipeline, sources close to the matter said.
