Mumbai: Powai residents say ‘disaster in waiting’ as gas cylinder agency operates via trucks

The truck seen outside Srishti Harmony Complex at Saki Vihar Road. Pics/Anurag Ahire

A gas cylinder agency's truckload of cylinders in Powai is a disaster waiting to happen and residents' complaints to the BMC seem ineffective. Residents of Srishti Harmony Complex on the bustling Saki Vihar Road claim that the agency is operating through the trucks on the streets instead of from a godown. The civic body, they claim, has taken only superficial action.

After the fire at a gas cylinder godown in Yari Road, the Mayor and civic body had asked residents to inform about illegal businesses

Srishti Harmony has around 100 families with children and senior citizens. They have been complaining to the BMC about the trucks for the past two years, the latest complaint being last week. Despite BMC action, the trucks return to the spot.

After the recent fire at Yari Road, Versova, Mumbai's Mayor had asked citizens to inform them of illegal godowns and activities involving gas cylinders, especially in residential areas.

Resident Prakash Javatkar said, "The gas cylinders are kept in huge trucks here and transported to smaller tempos and trucks in various areas of Powai. The BMC took action in the past but they came back. It is a busy street. Children used to board school buses from where the trucks are parked. It is a disaster waiting to happen. Authorities must take immediate action."

Resident Sandhya Fernandes said, "We have been complaining for many months but there is no respite. The trucks are parked so close to the gate. If tomorrow an untoward incident takes place, it will affect us all. We have tweeted to the Mayor and BMC, submitted written complaints. I approached the assistant commissioner of L ward, too. Still, there has been no action in the past week." Despite repeated attempts, the L ward's Assistant Municipal Commissioner Manish Valanju did not respond.