Traffic on Howrah-Chennai NH-16 stretch came to a standstill for more than 20 minutes when a gas tanker ploughed into a roadside shop at Lankelapalem Junction under Parawada police station limits in the city on Monday.
Fortunately, there were no casualties and injuries to anyone in the incident. However, the accident triggered panic among the motorists and residents as someone had spread rumour of gas leakage from the tanker.
As per the reports, the incident took place when the gas tanker was heading towards Jawaharlal Nehru Pharma City (JNPC), Parawada from the city.
The driver of the tanker lost control over the vehicle while trying to avoid hitting a lorry, which had suddenly come to a grinding halt following the burst of one of its tyres at Lankelapalem Junction. On receiving the information, traffic police, fire service, personnel from the oil company and a few others rushed to the spot with all the necessary equipment and diverted the vehicular traffic.
The police have registered a case and investigation is on.
