An oil tanker carrying aviation fuel from a depot in west Delhi overturned near Moolchand underpass around 5 a.m. on Tuesday. The incident happened when the tanker driver lost control of the vehicle and rammed a divider while trying to avoid hitting a car.
Rain to the rescue
About 5,500 litres of fuel costing over ₹2 lakh spilt on to the road. Fortunately most of the leaking fuel from one of the compartments was washed off by the rain.
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The tanker, headed towards DND from AIIMS, had driven down South Extension flyover. “Our drivers usually avoid the underpass due to the steep gradient,” said truck owner Malkit Pal.
He added that the driver was trying to avoid hitting a car that overtook him from the left in order to enter the underpass.
As a result of this, Mr. Pal said, the tanker driver lost control of the vehicle and rammed the divider.
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“The tanker overturned and skidded 300 metres before coming to a stop. Fuel started spilling from multiple ruptures on the tank. The driver informed the Fire Department as the tank could have exploded if the oil kept leaking,” said Mr. Pal, adding that the driver and cleaner have been admitted to a hospital.
Three fire tenders were rushed to the spot and the area was secured by the Delhi Police. Traffic was diverted for an hour till the firemen gave a go ahead.
“Fuel usually generates fumes inside the tank. This builds up pressure, that can lead to an explosion. We had to wait for the pressure to be released,” said a fire official.
The tanker was headed for Benaras and Lucknow.
“Aviation fuel is extremely inflammable and could have resulted in a huge mishap if it had caught fire. Fortunately, most of the spilt fuel just went into a drain beside the road,” said a fire official.