Tamil Nadu: NGT panel files report on ammonia gas leak

CHENNAI: The expert committee constituted by National Green Tribunal (NGT) to look into the ammonia gas leak at a fertiliser manufacturing unit in Manali in May, has submitted its interim inspection report, revealing a lapse that lead to the incident.
The report stated that Madras Fertilizers Limited (MFL) restarted operations without installing at least two ammonia sensors at the rear end of the plant, close to the villages where residents reported breathlessness after the gas leak in the third week of May. This was against the directions given by Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) after inspection.
MFL, in response to the report, said they had placed an order for the sensors but delivery was delayed due to Covid-19 lockdown. The unit management further pointed out that they had complied with other directions from TNPCB to prevent accumulation of toxic gases inside tanks.
The safety audit team, which inspected the unit later, pointed out that the isolation valves were not in use due to system upgradation and they were liable to leak. They also stated that damaged buildings, damaged roofs with erosion, corrosion of pipe lines, support structures and elevated platforms can result in serious accidents.
The NGT panel finally said members from Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Bengaluru, couldn’t participate in the inspection due to inter-state travel restrictions and they needed help from IIT Madras to carry out further work from the first week of August. The panel has been given three more months to complete the report. Next hearing will be on November 25.