Suvarna Brahmavar
Daijiworld Media Network- Udupi

Udupi, Jan 5: Traffic on the Sasthan national highway near Gundmi School was disrupted following leakage of LPG from a tanker on Thursday January 3 night.

The traffic on the highway was completely stopped after the incident. Later one way movement was permitted.

The tanker belonging to Indane Gas Company, carrying 18 tons of LPG was on its way to Belgaum from Mangalore. As the tanker approached Gundmi, the driver noticed the leakage and stopped the vehicle near the school at around 12 midnight.

Udupi and Kundapur fire fighters rushed to the spot and averted a major disaster by continuously spraying water. The remaining gas was later shifted to another HP tanker which was called from Mangalore on Friday January 4 at around 10 am.

Sasthan School which is located close to the spot where the gas leak took place declared holiday on Friday. Directives were issued to the people residing in around the spot not to light any fire or switch on the lights as there was a gas leak. Electricity supply to the surrounding regions was also stopped.

Alternate routes were made for the movement of vehicles. The incident highly affected students, employees and locals. The movement of buses was completely stopped from Friday afternoon.

Three fire brigades with 12 fire fighters reached the spot. It is learnt that as much as 1 lac liters of water was used to bring the situation to control.

DYSP Prabhudeva Mane visited the spot and carried out operations. District fire department officer U Jaya, fire department Kundapur Station officer Bharath Kumar, Kota Police Station officer Ashok P and others were also part of the operation.