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R GOMATHY SANKARAVEL
Chennai, Jan 17:
 

IN FULL PUBLIC VIEW: LPG cylinders being loaded and unloaded without adhering to safety norms. A scene in Lake Area, Nungambakkam. Photo: M Srinivasan

        Loading and unloading of highly inflammable Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) gas cylinders stacked on tractor-trolleys seem to be a ticking bomb ready to explode any time.

        Such handling causes concern as it has been allowed to continue in front of the Corporation Girls Higher Secondary School at Lake Area, Nungambakkam, Chennai, all day long.

        Adding to the woes is the Sports Development Authority of Tamilnadu's tennis stadium which is located on the other side where loading and unloading of cylinders are done.

        'When I called up the police control room regarding this issue, an irresponsible reply was all I got', said Rahu, a resident of Nungambakkam.

        'Everytime I take my child to school and back, it's really worrying and frightening that anything could happen any time', said Rani, a mother of a school student.

        'Keeping gas cylinders in the open is in violation of the Essential Commodities Act and the violators are making light of safety norms, said Vedhan from the locality.

        It is reportedly said that a godown leased by a private gas agency meant for loading and unloading the cylinders is in dispute and consequently the godown was closed.

        According to the Schedule VI of the Gas Cylinders Rules 1981 under the Explosives Act dealing with Transport of Cylinders by vehicles, cylinders shall be adequately secured to prevent their falling off the vehicle and being subjected to rough handling, excessive shocks or local stresses cylinders transported in vehicles shall be blocked or braced and be so secured to prevent movement, striking each other or falling down.

        'Hence if anything happens we can't, just, even think of the consequences', said an advocate living in the locality.

        'We have informed Nungambakkam Sanitary Officer and he would visit the area soon for checking the violations. Also he would look into the licence of the particular gas agency and also the state of loading and unloading of cylinders on the roads', Corporation official source said.

        Another official said that as there were no written complaints from the public regarding this issue, initiating action is not easy.

        When contacted, Councillor Rukumani Narayanan said that she would take up the issue with the authorities concerned for initiating proper steps.

        'Prevention is better than cure' holds good as far as health is concerned. But, here, taking proper action immediately would certainly prevent any untoward incidents since it involves precious lives.