A Division Bench of the Kerala High Court on Monday directed the State government and the FACT to ensure that ammonia was transported by road only between 8 p.m and 8 a.m .
The Bench comprising Acting Chief Justice C.N. Ramachandran Nair and Justice P.S.Gopinathan issued the directive while disposing of a public interest writ petition filed by Vijayan, former Thiruvamkulam grama panchayat member.
The court also ordered the authorities to ensure that there was no leakage from the valve of the tanker or damage to its insulation.
The qualification and experiences of the crew of the vehicles should be ensured.
The petitioner pointed out that the transportation of ammonia by road violated the provision of the Motor Vehicle Act.
The provision allowed transportation of such liquid by road only between 8 p.m. to 8 a.m.
No safety norms were complied with while carrying ammonia by roads, he said.
As per the MV Act provisions, the crew of the truck should be trained to meet any contingency in case of leak of the tanker.
Accidents
The petitioner also pointed out that accidents involving ammonia carrying vehicles were on the rise.
