New Delhi: The government today asked all
ports to review safety measures following chlorine gas leakage
at Mumbai Port Trust early this morning affecting 92 persons.
"All ports have a set of guidelines for safety measures
which are adhered to. However, after this incident in Mumbai
Port Trust, I have directed authorities to review the safety
measures so that such incidents do not take place in any port
in future," Shipping Minister G K Vasan told PTI.
Vasan said immediate action has been taken to evacuate
all the persons and cordon off the area, besides removing the
leaked cylinder.
"All the affected persons have been evacuated and taken
to hospitals and have been provided the best medical care. Out
of 92 affected persons, more than 32 persons have been
discharged," he said.
The Shipping Ministry has also sought a detailed report
from the Mumbai Port Trust on the leakage of chlorine gas from
one of the cylinders at Hay Bandar area of the Port Trust
around 3.30 am.
The Ministry is also seeking help from experts dealing
with hazardous material from Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Ltd and
Century Rayon.
"Experts in dealing with hazardous chemicals will help
the Mumbai Port Trust in handling the situation which is
under control," Vasan said adding he is in touch with
Maharshtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan and the State Health
Minister Vijay Kumar Gavit who are monitoring the situation.
Meanwhile, according to an official statement, the
cylinders were kept at the Hay Bandar area, allocated for
storage of hazardous goods over the past few years. The gas
had affected persons in the nearby Lal Bahadur Shastri
Nautical Institute and a police station in the Siwri area.
"No death has been reported as per discussions with the
deputy chairman of the Mumbai Port Trust," the statement
said, adding, "As per the records of the Mumbai Port Trust,
these cylinders were empty. The Mumbai Port Trust is checking
its records to find out if any action had been taken for the
disposal of hazardous material in the past."
The country has 13 major ports under the control of
central government while about 200 minor ports are under the
states jurisdiction besides being controlled by private
players.
PTI
