A pick-up van transporting 100 LPG cylinders overturned on a flyover along National Highway 16 in Bhubaneswar on Saturday evening, causing significant traffic disruption for about an hour. The incident occurred during peak traffic hours, leading to chaos as the cylinders fell off the van's carrier and scattered across the road.
Fortunately, no injuries were reported in the incident, officials confirmed. The van was traveling from the Khurda direction when it suddenly skidded and overturned, spilling its hazardous cargo onto the flyover. Assistant Fire Officer Manoranjan Rout provided details of the response: "The cylinder van was coming from the Khurda end and suddenly skidded and overturned. The cylinders fell off the van. Police and our personnel reached the spot and tried to clear the traffic first. The cylinders were lifted from the road and loaded in another vehicle. There was no gas leakage reported from any cylinder."
Emergency Response and Traffic Management
Upon receiving the alert, local police and fire department personnel swiftly arrived at the scene. Their primary focus was to clear the traffic congestion and ensure public safety. The cylinders, each containing liquefied petroleum gas, were carefully handled to prevent any leakage or explosion risk. After inspection, all cylinders were transferred to another vehicle for safe transportation.
Safety Precautions and Investigation
The fire department confirmed that no gas leakage occurred from any of the cylinders, averting a potential disaster. Authorities are investigating the cause of the skid, which may have been due to overspeeding or a mechanical failure. Motorists were advised to avoid the stretch during the clearance operation. The incident highlights the risks associated with transporting hazardous materials on busy highways.
This event is a reminder of the importance of adhering to safety protocols while carrying volatile substances. The quick response by emergency services prevented any casualties or further damage. Traffic on NH-16 was restored to normalcy within an hour after the cylinders were removed and the van was towed away.
