Unknown Odour Reported From Mumbai Suburbs Prompting Gas Leak Rumour

Many residents in Mumbai's western and eastern suburbs reported an unknown odour, prompting rumours of a gas leak at the Rashtriya Chemical Fertiliser's plant in the Chembur suburb, officials said.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, late last night, said that the odour was reported from Powai, Chembur, Mankhurd, Govandi, Chandivali, Andheri and Ghatkopar areas. A police official said no injuries were reported.

A fire brigade spokesperson said the unknown odour was also reported from areas adjoining the Sanjay Gandhi National Park in northern suburb Borivli. Nine fire engines were send at various places to find out the source of leakage, the official said.

The Mahanagar Gas Ltd., which supplies piped gas in Mumbai, said in a statement that it had been receiving complaints of gas smell from various parts of the city. "Our emergency teams have reached the sites from where the complaints have been received. So far, we have not come across any breach in our pipeline system which could result in leakage of gas," it said.

A BMC official said, fire engines had been deployed at at Deonar, Mankhurd, Chembur, Vikhroli, Dindoshi, Vile Parle, Kanivali and Dahisar areas in order to trace the origin of the reported gas leak.

A total of 29 complaints were received by the BMC control room regarding an unknown smell, which has considerably reduced since, he said. Four emergency vans of MGL were also mobilised, the official added.