Kerala - Kochi   

Protest against petroleum tanks in residential area

Staff Reporter

Safety compromised, allege residents

KOCHI: The collapse of a storage tank for petroleum products being set up by B.R. Petroleum at Vathuruthy early on Sunday morning has triggered protest from local people.

V.R. Sanu, action council convener, pointed out that the tanks were being set up in the area without the mandatory safety measures.

Though the place selected for setting up the tanks was once a marshy land, proper piling and foundation were not laid before the tanks were built, he alleged.

Despite previous accidents, no proper care was being taken to ensure the safety of the tanks and protect the lives of over 20,000 people residing in the area, he said.

Mr. Sanu questioned the logic of permitting the construction of the storage tanks at Vathuruthy, which was close to many of the strategic installations.

Thirty-nine tanks of various capacities being set up in the area are for storing petroleum products, including highly inflammable substances such as benzene, without adequate safety measures, said N. Venugopal, Corporation councillor.

The State and the Central Governments have scant regard for the safety of the residents of Vathuruthy. If an accident occurs in the storage tanks, it will impact the city, he said.

Mr. Venugopal urged the trade unions of workers who were engaged in setting up the tanks to desist from the construction works.

Mr. Venugopal said the storage tanks would jeopardise the lives of thousands of families.

Deputy Mayor, Kochi Corporation, C.K. Manisankar said the corporation had taken note of the situation and would initiate appropriate steps to demolish the tanks.

On three occasions, the corporation had passed resolutions urging the Cochin Port Trust not to allow the setting up of tanks in the area.

The tanks were set up without obtaining the permission of the corporation stating that the civic body's clearance was not required for such installations in the Port area, he said.

Mr. Manishankar added that the tanks were a grave security concern to the city and the corporation would not compromise on the safety of its residents.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Protest against petroleum tanks in residential area
Illegal felling of trees continues
Art exhibition at Orthic Creative Centre
Around the City
In Kochi Today

Copyright © 2006, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu