Mangaluru: A tanker lorry carrying chemicals from Kochi in Kerala to Baikampady paint manufacturing industry lost control of the driver near Kallapu on National Highway 66 late at night of Tuesday March 21.
Mayur (40), the driver of the vehicle, escaped with minor injuries after he fell on the middle of the Highway. He has been admitted to Father Muller’s Hospital in Kankanady.
The removal of the truck and the tanker carrying the gas went on till 1.00 am late in the night. The operation was led by Fire Brigade, Assistant Commissioner of Police Dhanya N. Naik, Ramesh Hanapur of South Traffic Police Station and Sandeep G. S., Station House Officer, Ullal.
The chemical tanker that had rolled down in the middle of the road caused a small leak and stench spread all over the environment. BASF safety team, which rushed to the spot, instructed them to switch off the electric lights of nearby commercial outlets. The traffic police had stopped vehicles from plying on both sides of NH – 66.
The operation was carried out for 3 hours using two small cranes, including a huge crane from the BASF, first lifting the lorry, then lifting the tanker safely, and loading it into another lorry, thus sending it immediately.
The chemical-containing tank has several layers and an iron protective shield all around, causing a small leak. The BASF Safety Officer said that the chemical is used to apply to the soap is not so effective. The locals heaved a sigh of relief after the successful evacuation operation.
Ullal MLA U. T. Khader was on a visit to Bengaluru but sent his personal Assistant Praveen to the spot to get moment-to-moment information about the evacuation operation.
