Surathkal: A brief but tense situation unfolded near Suratkal Junction on Friday night after a CNG tanker began leaking close to the Harsha showroom, raising concern among nearby residents and commuters.
Tanker halted; authorities alerted
The tanker, which had refilled compressed natural gas (CNG) from the Baikampady Gail pump, reportedly developed a leak while heading towards Suratkal. Noticing the issue, the driver stopped the vehicle on the roadside along the national highway and immediately informed the relevant authorities about the potential hazard.
Highway temporarily closed
As a safety precaution, the national highway stretch near the incident site was temporarily closed to traffic. Emergency teams implemented standard safety protocols to prevent any escalation.
Experts: CNG less hazardous but risks remain
While CNG is considered less volatile compared to LPG and other cooking fuels, experts caution that in the event of a major fire, the risk of cylinder explosion cannot be ruled out. Given this possibility, authorities ensured that all necessary preventive measures were taken promptly.
Situation brought under control
Officials confirmed that the situation was contained without any injuries or damage. Normal traffic movement resumed after the area was declared safe.