Connect with us
Thursday,19-September-2024
Breaking News

Maharashtra

Ambernath Gas Leak: MPCB Sends Closure Notice To Nikakem Products, Chemical Factory Behind Fugitive Emissions

Published

on

Thane: The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) reportedly issued a closure notice to Nikakem Products, a chemical factory based in Ambernath, on Friday following a gas leak that affected local residents on Thursday night. The incident led to widespread complaints of eye irritation, breathing difficulties and reduced visibility as a thick haze spread across the area. Residents from Morivli village, near the MIDC industrial area, were particularly affected, with some experiencing vomiting and panic as the smog-like conditions enveloped their surroundings.

Factory Manufactures Hazardous Chemicals

The gas leak began around 11:00 pm and quickly spread, covering a one-kilometre radius by 11:30 pm. The situation was brought under control within two hours, and fortunately no injuries or hospitalisations were reported. The factory manufactures hydrochloric acid, phosphorus trichloride and phosphorus pentoxide, all of which are hazardous chemicals.

Rajendra Rajput, a senior official at MPCB’s Kalyan region, the factory had closed operations at 7:00 pm, but it was storing excessive amounts of acid in drums without taking proper safety precautions. Rainwater, leaking through the roof, came into contact with the stored acid, causing a chemical reaction that released harmful fumes. As a result, the MPCB issued an immediate closure notice to the company on Friday. A gas detection system was also deployed at the site to assess the extent of the leakage and monitor air quality.

The Ambernath police were alerted to the situation at 11:00 pm when smoke was observed in the MIDC area of Morivali village. Senior Police Inspector Jagannath Kalaskar stated that the smoke originated from Nikakem Products and was the result of a chemical reaction involving two partially cut yellow drums. The fire brigade quickly extinguished the chemical process and the police are maintaining vigilance to prevent any further incidents.

Locals Express Dissatisfaction Over Incident

Local residents expressed frustration with the recurring issues of chemical leaks and toxic fumes from factories in the area. Jayesh Nair, a resident of Morivli while speaking to HT, described the night as terrifying, with visibility so poor that he couldn’t see out of his window. He experienced vomiting and eye irritation and many other residents faced similar symptoms. Nair also criticised the MPCB for its lack of effective monitoring, stating that chemical leaks happen frequently but are often ignored by authorities.

Another resident, Satish Waghmare, recounted his own experience, noting that he couldn’t see a building gate just a few feet away during the incident. His eye irritation persisted for several hours and the night was marked by coughing and panic among his neighbours.

Maharashtra

Thane: Fire Erupts In Dev Corpora At Cadbury Junction, 10 Rescued, Cooling Operations On

Published

on

Thane: A major fire broke out at the 16-floored Dev Corpora commercial tower near Cadbury junction, off Eastern Expressway in Thane. The blaze erupted on the 11th floor at the office of Jijau Foundation around 11.51 pm and total 10 people were evacuated by the firefighters. No injuries are reported in the incident.

The fire was doused at 4 am on Wednesday and cooling operations are underway, informed Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC). Of the people rescued, five are residents of Dombivali, four from Thane and rest from Mumbai city.

As per the disaster management of TMC, “A total of 10 persons who were trapped in the building due to the spread of fire and smoke at the incident site have been safely evacuated. One person was trapped on the 1st floor in Santanti Test Tube Baby Centre and nine persons were trapped in the Isha Netralaya on the seventh floor.”

The statement released by TMC said that the fire was reported at disaster management control room at 11.51 pm. The blaze was at Cadbury Junction, East Expressway side, at Siddheshwar, Khopat, Thane West. The fire broke out in the office of Jijau Foundation on the 11th floor of the building and a large amount of smoke spread throughout the building, it added.

Three Fire vehicles, One Rescue vehicle and One Branto along with Disaster Management Cell personnel with One Pickup vehicle and TDRF personnel were rushed to the spot. Chief Fire officer was also present on the spot.

Continue Reading

Maharashtra

Thane: 5 Arrested For Assaulting And Robbing 35-Year-Old Truck Driver On Mumbai-Pune Expressway

Published

on

Thane, Sep 17: Five persons have been arrested for allegedly assaulting and robbing a truck driver on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway in Maharashtra’s Thane district, police said on Tuesday.

The police on Monday arrested the accused in connection with the incident that occurred on September 9, an official said. The accused allegedly attacked a 35-year-old truck driver who had stopped on the side of the road. They threatened and assaulted him and stole two mobile phones and Rs 23,000 cash, he said.

The accused, Rohan Naik (24), Rohidas Pawar (23), Atish Waghmare (26), Bhanish Waghbhare (35), and Shankar Waghmare (18), were apprehended from the Khopoli area of Raigad district, the official said, adding that three more accused are absconding.

Stolen property worth Rs 48,000, including mobile phones and cash, were recovered from the arrested accused, he said.

Continue Reading

Maharashtra

Maharashtra: MLA Nawab Malik’s Son-In-Law Sameer Khan Injured In Kurla Car Accident; Visuals Surface

Published

on

Mumbai: Maharashtra MLA Nawab Malik’s son-in-law sustained injuries after his car met an accident in Kurla, said police, adding that Sameer Khan is undergoing treatment.

According to Mumbai police, the incident occurred when Nawab Malik’s daughter and son-in-law were returning after a routine check-up at a hospital.

Statement Of Mumbai Police

“When they were getting into the car, the car driver accidentally pressed down the accelerator, and the car hit a wall. Sameer Khan sustained injuries on his head and is currently in ICU,” informed Mumbai Police.

Continue Reading
Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending