Gas tanker tragedy : DC takes HPCL to task for apathy

Gas tanker tragedy : DC takes HPCL to task for apathy

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, April 11, 2013 : Deputy Commissioner Harsh Gupta who addressed a meeting with officials of the oil marketing companies as well as various other officials at his office here on April 10, Wednesday, took the HPCL company to task over the recent tanker tragedy at Perne near Uppinangady which claimed the lives of eight people and left four injured apart from causing much damage to property.

 

 

 

 

The DC gave a deadline of 48 hours to the HPCL officials to respond to all the questions raised by him in the meeting.

The DC warned that the oil company concerned will be held responsible for such accidents. The DC who did not seem satisfied by the response of HPCL said it was unpardonable on the part of oil companies transporting gas in tankers without any responsibility.

Stating that the oil marketing companies have failed to take responsibility  for the tragedy, the DC said the police department will initiate strict action.

The DC said the RTO authorities must routinely check gas tankers to see if they have two drivers and a cleaner and possess all relevant documents. Any violation of rule should be taken serious cognizance of  and the tankers must be seized, the DC said.

 He also spoke to the NHAI officials on the dangers of steep curves on the NH while pointing out that the tanker tragedy took place while negotiating a curve.The DC said every effort would be made to provide justifiable compensation to the families of the victims.

Pointing out that no GPS facility is provided in gas tankers he said such accidents can be prevented if GPS is fitted into the tankers. "The company’s off-site emergency plan was not implemented properly. SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) was not observed, the DC said.

Abhishek Goyal, SP, MCC Commissioner Dr Harish Kumar, Additional DC Dayanand, BPCL, IOC and MRPL officials, Chief Fire Officer Varadaraj and others were present.

The DC gave a deadline of 48 hours to the HPCL officials to respond to all the questions raised by him in the meeting.

Representatives of BPCL, IOC, and MRPL officials, ADC Dayanand K A, MCC Commissioner Dr Harish Kumar, and DCP Mutturaya were present.