Frequent LPG tanker accidents: Police file criminal case against HPCL, IOC


Daijiworld Media Network – Hassan (SP)

Hassan, Apr 10: The ordeal of vehicles using Shiradi Ghat stretch of national highway 48 (new No 75) is unending. As the work of shifting LPG from the second tanker that toppled within two days on this road continued on Tuesday, the saga of repeated miseries faced by the road users continued for another day. The Ghat section of the highway, which remains closed for the third consecutive day, is likely to be opened for traffic during late afternoon on Wednesday April 9, police sources said.


Recent gas tanker accident at Sakleshpur

Transport and other vehicles continue to line up on both sides of the accident site, with cleaners and drivers unable to move out, as they are required to safeguard their stocks and vehicles. They are forced to sleep by the roadside, and consume food by paying exorbitant prices to smalltime vendors. Passenger vehicles are being redirected on Charmadi and Hettur-Subrahmanya route.

About 200 tankers which move on this stretch daily create headache for other vehicles. Inexperienced drivers, diesel-saving methods like keeping the engine off in slopes, absence of relief driver and cleaner, violation of direction not to drive on Ghat roads at night etc have been causing the accidents. It may be recalled that exactly a year back, a LPG tanker accident at Perne in Dakshina Kannada district had claimed 11 lives, besides taking away livelihood, houses, future, and other assets belonging to these villagers, many of whom have shifted bases elsewhere since then. Absence of protective walls, poorly maintained roads, and deep gorges lining this stretch, have all been contributing factors for repeated accidents.

As repeated requests to both Hindustan Petroleum and Indian Oil Companies to set up emergency disaster management cell at this stretch have been overlooked by these companies, the Hassan police have registered a criminal case against the heads of both these companies. This was confirmed by superintendent of police, Ravi D Channannavar. Sakleshpur police sub-inspector, Bharat, informed that letters written to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to erect protective walls and display warning signs on this road have failed to get any response.

It is learnt that police departments of both Hassan and Dakshina Kannada districts as well as district administrations are planning to organize a meeting with the participation of top officials of both the above companies and also NHAI towards finding a lasting solution to the problem.

  

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Comment on this article

  • jr,

    Thu, Apr 10 2014

    ONCE THE ELECTIONS ARE OVER ALL CASES WILL BE WITHDRAWN.
    THIS IS JUST EYE WASH TILL THE END OF LS ELECTIONS.
    IS THERE ANY GOVT. IN STATE OR IN GOODSLEEP ITSELF IS A BIG QUESTION MARK WITH NO ANSWER AT PRESENT.
    NO VEERAPPAN WILL TURN TO THIS SIDE BECAUSE HE IS BUSY IN LOOTING.
    THIS IS WHAT WE CALL KAR NATAKA.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • Bulsam, Mangalore

    Thu, Apr 10 2014

    The railway authority should start few short haul goods train services between Subrahmanya Road and Sakleshpur Railway Station (111Kms) for only Bullet Oil Tankers that can be lifted by the goods train so that the danger and nuisance of Bullet Tanker causing accidents and traffic jams can be eliminated.
    There should be parking yards at both these stations for ample parking facility of Bullet Tanker Lorries.
    Where there's a will there's a way.
    Jai Hind!

    DisAgree [1] Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • Rajesh Shetty, Mlore Shj

    Thu, Apr 10 2014

    Oscar Fernandes and Veerappa Moiley should be paraded up & down 10 times in Shirady Ghat for anly doing Chamchagiri in Delhi al these years and not doing anything about this Shirady Ghat problem since ages.

    DisAgree [6] Agree [33] Reply Report Abuse

  • Ad, Indi

    Thu, Apr 10 2014

    This is the real issue at present to get the Shirady Ghat Road ready for travel for all kinds of vehicles.

    Indian road builders are capable of doing any type of work in a given time frame.

    Higher up officials do help the travelers by maintaining this road.

    DO NOT CLOSE YOUR EYES, FOR THIS CAUSE.

    It looks that No politician is interested in helping the common man. All gluttons and corrupt representatives! Sorry Sirs but this is the truth.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [12] Reply Report Abuse

  • Ambrose, Mangalore

    Thu, Apr 10 2014

    For so many years now, the Shirady Ghat road problem continues to persist and bother and those in charge politician ministers have not done anything to settle this issue of Shirady Ghat road. What a SHAMEFUL condition of our Elected Representatives in Vidhan Soudha?

    For God sake, kindly use the granted Rs 92 crores and need be ask the state govt to release some more amount and get that road done at the international standard, with all sign boards, direction boards, build protective and retaining walls wherever it is needed and make travelling safe on that road.

    Travelling is every body's need and therefore, build the road meant for all season and all purpose safe road.

    I wish the NHAI and the in charge officials good luck and success in building this road anew, safe and strong one!

    DisAgree [1] Agree [6] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jacob Mendonsa, Melbourne

    Thu, Apr 10 2014

    Police should file a Criminal Case against the National Highway Authority of India. Oscar is busy with Election Campaign instead of taking care of his ministry Road & Transport.He is least bothered about the vehicle owners facing problems while driving on this Stretch. He speaks rubbish about tunneling on this area. He has already released RS.95 Crores to Concretise this Ghat. Where that huge sum of money is gone?

    DisAgree [1] Agree [15] Reply Report Abuse

  • Suleman Beary, Udupi

    Thu, Apr 10 2014

    @ Mendonsa....
    Ans : Smiling....

    DisAgree [2] Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • HENRY MISQUITH, Bahrain

    Thu, Apr 10 2014

    And also driver should be heavily punished.

    DisAgree [6] Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • S.S.D'Souza, Udupi

    Thu, Apr 10 2014

    Well,by looking at the photographs one can conclude that this mishap is a clear cut case of bullying by an approaching or an overtaking vehicle, since driving in India is absolute madness, or in typical driver's language "gobbavunu". In my opinion, the driver of this vehicle is not at fault.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse


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Title: Frequent LPG tanker accidents: Police file criminal case against HPCL, IOC



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