Jaipur, Jan 1 (NationPress) A significant incident was prevented on Tuesday in Jaipur as a gas leak occurred at an oxygen plant located on Vishwakarma Road.

The event transpired in the evening when the valve of a tanker transporting 20 tonnes of oxygen gas malfunctioned, leading to a rapid escape of gas. The leaked oxygen dispersed over a radius of 200-300 meters, causing a notable decrease in visibility in the vicinity.

Upon receiving the notification, teams from the Vishwakarma police station and the fire brigade swiftly responded to the scene. Station House Officer (SHO) Rajendra Sharma stated that the leak was contained by turning off the plant's main valve. Firefighters deployed water sprays to mitigate the gas concentration and stabilize the situation.

The gas escape resulted in a drastic drop in visibility on the road, necessitating police intervention to manage traffic and reduce vehicle speeds to avert potential accidents. Thankfully, no casualties were reported during this episode.

SHO Rajendra Sharma clarified that the leak was caused by the unexpected failure of the tanker’s valve. However, the rapid response from the police and fire brigade averted a major catastrophe. Despite the tense atmosphere among local residents during the incident, the administration's prompt action restored order.

Following the incident, police advised plant owners to conduct regular equipment inspections and strictly adhere to safety protocols. They were also urged to implement rigorous measures to prevent similar occurrences in the future. Officials confirmed that normalcy has returned, with no injuries or fatalities reported.

It is noteworthy that 20 people lost their lives and over 20 sustained injuries when a container lorry collided with an LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) tanker on the Jaipur-Ajmer highway on December 20, resulting in a fire that left many individuals still recovering from burns and injuries in hospitals.

During that tragic incident, many victims were bus passengers who were asleep at the time. Among them was a young woman who chose to travel by bus due to a lack of train reservations. Moments before the accident, she had called her sister to inform her of her imminent arrival.

A young man, who perished while attempting to rescue his car parked on the roadside during a break at a nearby dhaba, was on his way home after shopping for his upcoming marriage in January. His two friends managed to escape the flames. Retired IAS officer Karni Singh Rathore was among those who tragically lost their lives. Many victims were identified only through DNA testing.