What caused the spread: MC, PPCB teams scan ground zero to seek answers

Ludhiana: Teams of experts from Punjab Pollution Control Board, Municipal Corporation and district administration were on toes on Monday to identify the cause behind the spread of poisonous gas at Sua road in Giaspura which killed 11 people.
The sampling of sewerage lines was carried out with the help of MC and PPCB engineers. The teams checked the private sewer lid of manholes of affected houses to check the impact of gas. The teams entered the houses to check whether there was any kind of foul smell inside.
While five people were found dead in a house, six others were lying dead on the roadside. Besides, four persons were admitted to a hospital.
The administration is still clueless as to what led to the incident. Deputy commissioner Surabhi Malik said, “Before reaching any conclusion, we are finding out the exact cause behind this incident and most probably, sample reports will reveal everything.”
Experts said poor ventilation in houses of victim families aggravated the crises. “There are high chances that concentration of deadly gas might have shot up in houses which were poorly ventilated,” said an official.
Door-to-door mapping
Punjab Pollution Control Board chief engineer Sandeep Bahl said, “We along with MC officials have formed special teams of PPCB engineers from the entire state. Now, we will knock on each door to find out the truth.” He said the teams are checking whether there are any illegal factories first up to 50m, then up to 100m and finally up to 200m.