Officials Clueless About Origin of ‘Gas Leak’ in Mumbai Areas

The disaster management said that they have begun the search operation.

Image used for representational purposes.

(Photo: PTI)

Reports of a foul smell across various parts of Mumbai, starting from Khar till Andheri, emerged on Thursday, 19 September, sparking rumours of a gas leak. Citizens of the city took to Twitter to report about the “strong smell” in their areas and the lack of clarity on the ground.

On Friday, Mumbai police stated that no gas leak was discovered in any of the plants of Rashtriya Chemical Feritilzers Limited (RCF).

“Teams from local PS were dispatched immediately and they reached the spot within minutes. We also coordinated with Mahanagar Gas Ltd, RCF and BPCL. All three informed that there was no leakage from their plant or pipelines,” read a statement by Mumbai police.

Earlier, Mirror Now stated that Mumbai’s civic body attributed the leak to RCF plant.

Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and fire brigade officials said that they have no idea what the source is.

Earlier, BMC added that the odour was reported from Powai, Chembur, Mankhurd, Govandi, Chandivali, Andheri and Ghatkopar areas and dispatched nine fire engines across the city to determine the source of the odour.

“We are alerting the local police station for further assistance. Meanwhile, please close the LPG regulator and put the safety cap on the cylinder,” Mumbai Police stated.

A police official said that no injuries were reported.

A fire brigade spokesperson said the unknown odour was also reported from areas adjoining the Sanjay Gandhi National Park in northern suburb Borivli.

Nine fire engines were sent at various places to find out the source of leakage, the official said.

Meanwhile, Mahanagar Gas Limited had also clarified on Thursday saying, “So far, we have not come across any breach in our pipeline system which could result in the leakage.”

‘Please Be Safe,’ Citizens on Twitter

Twitter buzzed with reports of the gas leak in various neighbourhoods, right from Powai, Ghatkopar, Vile Parle, Goregaon East Powai, Andheri, etc. While some users said that there was no need to panic, others stated that they have alerted the authorities to look into it.

“A total of 29 complaints were received by the BMC control room regarding an unknown smell, which has considerably reduced now,” an official said.

The police, on Friday said that operations were halted after a while as there were no further complaints about the presence of any sort of smell or gas.