Mumbai: Dharavi police on Tuesday arrested and then released on bail four persons allegedly responsible for negligence that led to nearly 60 of around 260 LPG gas cylinders loaded on two trucks and one tempo catching fire and exploding in Dharavi late Monday. Around 18 vehicles were gutted in the explosions. Miraculously, no one was injured. A local resident said more than 5,000 residents of some 30 buildings in the vicinity had rushed out on hearing the explosions, and managed to get away from the spot. BMC workers cleared the debris and charred vehicles from the road on Tuesday.
Police suspect leakage in one of the cylinders led to the explosions, though there is no clarity yet on how it caught fire; they are awaiting the fire brigade’s report. Police alleged vehicles filled with inflammable gas were parked illegally in a double-parking configuration alongside the road. Authorities said this hazardous parking not only obstructed traffic but also posed a significant risk of arson, endangering the lives of road users.
A day after the mishap, Thane residents wrote to the civic and police chiefs requesting such trucks be discouraged from parking near residential areas. Dayanand Nene, president of Saket Parisar ALM said such a mishap could potentially occur in their neighbourhood as trucks laden with cylinders were often parked on Saket Road.
Meanwhile, in the Dharavi case, police arrested Ninad Kelkar, proprietor of the HPCL gas agency at Parsi Colony at Dadar, Anil Gupta who was involved in the transport of the cylinders, Tabrez Shaikh, a Dharavi businessman, and a local, Nagesh Navale. Two truck drivers Babu Pujari and Sonu Charmohan, autorickshaw driver Tariq Sheikh, a local Velu Nadar, and few other vehicle owners who had illegally double-parked are among the 10 wanted accused.The probe revealed that Tarbez and Tariq were illegally charging parking fees from car and truck drivers and directing them to park at unauthorised spots.
“I had come home after Taraweeh Namaz and was parking my vehicle when I noticed a small fire adjacent to the Nature Park. Suddenly, I heard a blast followed by nine more blasts, which were literally like explosions in quick succession. I have never seen such a fire in my whole life,” said Sajid Khan, a resident of a Rajeev Darshan building opposite the site. “Policemen responded quickly and blocked traffic. Small parts of the cylinders even landed on our building terrace. More than 5,000 people residing in the vicinity were on the road trying to get away,” Khan added. “It seemed like war,” said Saiful Islam, a resident of Indira Darshan society. “People came back to their homes after 2am,” said Sajid Khan who lives in a building opposite the spot. A PMGP Colony resident said they will write to cops and BMC requesting restriction on unauthorised parking.
Officials from oil marketing companies were not available for comment. It is learned that oil companies maintain stringent protocols for LPG storage for distributors. Dharavi police filed a case under BNS sections for danger or obstruction in public ways or lines of navigation, negligent conduct with respect to fire or combustible matter, negligence as to endanger life or to be likely to cause hurt or injury to any other person and “mischief”. (With Manoj Badgeri & Somit Sen)
Police suspect leakage in one of the cylinders led to the explosions, though there is no clarity yet on how it caught fire; they are awaiting the fire brigade’s report. Police alleged vehicles filled with inflammable gas were parked illegally in a double-parking configuration alongside the road. Authorities said this hazardous parking not only obstructed traffic but also posed a significant risk of arson, endangering the lives of road users.
A day after the mishap, Thane residents wrote to the civic and police chiefs requesting such trucks be discouraged from parking near residential areas. Dayanand Nene, president of Saket Parisar ALM said such a mishap could potentially occur in their neighbourhood as trucks laden with cylinders were often parked on Saket Road.
Meanwhile, in the Dharavi case, police arrested Ninad Kelkar, proprietor of the HPCL gas agency at Parsi Colony at Dadar, Anil Gupta who was involved in the transport of the cylinders, Tabrez Shaikh, a Dharavi businessman, and a local, Nagesh Navale. Two truck drivers Babu Pujari and Sonu Charmohan, autorickshaw driver Tariq Sheikh, a local Velu Nadar, and few other vehicle owners who had illegally double-parked are among the 10 wanted accused.The probe revealed that Tarbez and Tariq were illegally charging parking fees from car and truck drivers and directing them to park at unauthorised spots.
“I had come home after Taraweeh Namaz and was parking my vehicle when I noticed a small fire adjacent to the Nature Park. Suddenly, I heard a blast followed by nine more blasts, which were literally like explosions in quick succession. I have never seen such a fire in my whole life,” said Sajid Khan, a resident of a Rajeev Darshan building opposite the site. “Policemen responded quickly and blocked traffic. Small parts of the cylinders even landed on our building terrace. More than 5,000 people residing in the vicinity were on the road trying to get away,” Khan added. “It seemed like war,” said Saiful Islam, a resident of Indira Darshan society. “People came back to their homes after 2am,” said Sajid Khan who lives in a building opposite the spot. A PMGP Colony resident said they will write to cops and BMC requesting restriction on unauthorised parking.
Officials from oil marketing companies were not available for comment. It is learned that oil companies maintain stringent protocols for LPG storage for distributors. Dharavi police filed a case under BNS sections for danger or obstruction in public ways or lines of navigation, negligent conduct with respect to fire or combustible matter, negligence as to endanger life or to be likely to cause hurt or injury to any other person and “mischief”. (With Manoj Badgeri & Somit Sen)
