Propylene gas leak on NH-49 along Odisha-Jharkhand border leaves hundreds of vehicles stranded

A major gas leak near the Odisha-Jharkhand border disrupted traffic on National Highway 49 on Tuesday, leaving hundreds of vehicles stranded and forcing authorities to suspend all movement in the area as a precautionary measure.

According to sources, the leak occurred from a propylene gas tanker near a petrol pump close to Jamshola in Bahadaguda block of East Singhbhum district at around 6.30 am today, just along the border with Odisha. 

Upon receiving the alert, local administration swiftly invoked prohibitory orders under Sec 163 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and sealed a two-kilometre radius around the site to prevent any potential hazard, sources added.

Meanwhile, Fire Service teams have reached the spot and are monitoring the situation. Experts from Balasore, Odisha, have been called in to assess the nature of the gas and determine whether it is toxic or not. 

Officials have stated that until a full risk assessment is conducted, vehicular movement along the affected stretch will remain suspended.

"The district administration swung into action as per the direction of Deputy Commissioner Karn Satyarthi. The traffic movement on the highway was stopped as a precautionary measure. Efforts are underway to control the leakage, and people living in the vicinity were being alerted," one of the officials said.

The shutdown has affected road connectivity between Odisha and Jharkhand, with long queues of trucks and passenger vehicles piling up on both sides of the highway. Traffic authorities have been deployed to divert vehicles through alternative routes wherever possible.

Fortunately, no casualties or injuries have been reported so far. However, the administration remains on high alert, and further updates are expected after the gas safety inspection is complete.