Team Herald
VASCO: Describing ammonia tankers as moving ‘potential bombs’ the family members of the 72-year-old victim of ammonia leakage have questioned the movement of ammonia tankers on the road, even as it is not yet clear whether the tankers transporting ammonia from MPT to Zuari Agro Chemical Limited plant are as per specification or are declared fit for transporting ammonia.
“These are potential bombs and I think someone has taken things for granted due to which we had to face the disaster. Though it was averted, we demand to know as to how and why these tankers are still plying when it is not clear whether the tankers that they use for transporting hazardous chemicals are as per specification or not,” said Raj Bhandare, whose 72-year-old mother was evacuated and was shifted to the hospital after ammonia tanker mishap that shocked Chicalim village.
Also, there has to be some accountability with respect to those tankers beside the phosphoric acid tankers that move from the city and other residential areas, he added.
Bhandare said he suspects that the central nervous system of his mother is already affected as she has been complaining of continuous headache, and burning of the eyes.
The transporter in Pune did not even have the courtesy to come and check the damage done by his people. Besides, the plants in my garden got charred and similar things happened to the plants and trees inside the SAG ground as well, he complained.
“The core issue for me is tanks which need to be assessed on an annual basis for its safety (as per factory and boilers rule). It is important to find out whether the metal cover of the tank was as per the specification of the safety norms that are required (as per the international standard). Whether it was in position to take that kind of pressure or the valves are in a position to take some kind of impact. As far as I have done my research even if these tanks falls off or face fire or any blast or falls from a height still it is not supposed to open up or explore,” Bhandare said.
“If the incident had happened in front of the school, which is 100 meters away, during day or if it had happened in the middle of Vasco town then we cannot imagine what could have happened. There has to be some accountability. Someone has to answer all these questions; someone has to be booked for this,” he opined.
