Chennai: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued a warning against future lapses following the ammonia gas leak in Ennore last week. The tribunal emphasized that such incidents should not occur due to human error or an act of God. Taking suo motu note of the incident, the NGT’s southern regional bench, comprising Justice Pushpa Sathyanarayana and expert member Dr Satyagopal Korlapati, adjourned the hearing to January 8 after instructing relevant authorities to submit reports.
The Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) faced questioning from the NGT bench regarding its infrequent inspections of the factory. Additionally, Coromandel International Limited, the company where the leak originated, was directed to file a report. The fisheries department, directorate of industrial safety and health, and maritime board have also been instructed to submit a joint report on the incident.
The ammonia gas leak occurred on the night of December 26 through a subsea pipeline connected to the Coromandel International Limited fertilizer factory in Ennore. As a result, 52 people from Periyakuppam and Chinnakuppam near the factory were hospitalized due to ammonia poisoning.
During the proceedings, TNPCB stated that the impact of the leak was felt in the early hours of December 27 and was contained within 20 minutes. The pollution control agency subsequently issued a closure order for seven days, invoking Section 33A of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974. The leak was attributed to high pressure in the pipeline and malfunctioning cooling equipment.
Coromandel International Limited defended itself by stating that the pipeline, which was less than 25 years old, did not require replacement for another 40 years. The company also claimed to have been diligently monitoring and inspecting the ammonia transfer through the subsea pipeline on an annual basis.
This incident has not occurred since 1996, asserted the company’s lawyer during the hearing.
The NGT’s warning against future lapses serves as a reminder to both authorities and industries to ensure the proper maintenance and inspection of pipelines and equipment to prevent such leaks. It also reaffirms the commitment to hold those responsible accountable for the Ennore ammonia gas leak.
The NGT’s intervention in the matter will hopefully lead to a comprehensive assessment of the incident, enabling the implementation of stringent preventive measures in the future. The joint report from the fisheries department, directorate of industrial safety and health, and maritime board, along with the reports from TNPCB and Coromandel International Limited, will shed further light on the incident and aid in determining the appropriate course of action.
Instances like the ammonia gas leak in Ennore highlight the importance of prioritizing the safety of workers, nearby residents, and the environment. The NGT’s proactive approach in addressing such incidents serves to protect public health and ensure the preservation of ecological balance.
With continuous efforts towards effective monitoring, inspection, and strict regulatory measures, it is hoped that incidents like the Ennore ammonia gas leak can be minimized, if not completely eliminated, in the future.
