Daijiworld Media Network – Puttur (SP)

Puttur, Jun 13: The local traffic police division has filed a preliminary report about the tragedies involving LPG tankers which shuttle between Mangalore and Bangalore regularly, and often give rise to potentially fatal accidents frequently. In the report, the policemen have drawn the attention of Dakshina Kannada district superintendent of police about the large scale destruction and other tragedies these tankers have the potential of giving rise to.

Expressing concern about repeated incidents of gas tankers tumbling on the stretch of the highway between Mangalore and Bangalore on Shiradi Ghat stretch, the report seeks recommendation of tight measures to regulate movement of these tankers. The report has drawn the attention of the concerned to the fact that two gas tankers had fallen across the highway in Kedila village within a gap of 23 days, giving rise to LPG leakage. In almost all such cases, Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd has been found to be wanting in taking immediate remedial action, although these accidents can cause tanker blasts, which can wreak havoc. The report has squarely blamed the drivers of these tankers for most of the accidents, accusing them of overlooking roadside signals meant for drivers.

“Every month, one or the other gas tanker accident occurs in this stretch. The tankers have also resulted in loss of lives, when they hit other vehicles. Most of the tankers and their drivers are from Tamil Nadu, and they violate measures undertaken to streamline their movement. The number of tankers as well as the accidents is going up with each passing year,” the report adds.

The report, in addition to suggesting certain measures for the safe movement of gas tankers, has also recommended for steps to ensure that most of the LPG is transported to Bangalore through the railway line, it is gathered.

It may be recollected that movement of LPG tankers during night on the Ghat stretch was banned a few years back, considering the risks posed by them. The tankers that move in a long line, or get parked in long stretches, also cause problems for the safe navigation of other vehicles.