Ammonia gas leak: Authorities are trying hard to contain the incident at Jain Ice Mill in Jalandhar

A team of refrigeration experts from Verka Milk Factory visited Jain Ice Mill on September 25 to remove dangerous ammonia gas still trapped in the pipes, three days after a devastating leak. The incident, which occurred last Saturday, prompted authorities to immediately shut down operations, seal off the factory and cut off power supply.

However, residents in the surrounding area have raised concerns about another leak. They fear that the unused pipes that carried ammonia still contain significant amounts of gas. With the plant closed, the unused pipes could corrode and weaken, increasing the risk of further leaks.

Local residents approached DC Himanshu Aggarwal and requested him to remove the remaining ammonia before further hazards arise. DC Aggarwal acted swiftly and appointed a specialised team from Verka Milk Plant to take care of the problem.

The team arrived on site along with firefighters to begin removing the gas from the pipes. The entire area around the factory was cordoned off to ensure public safety during the operation.

Officials say it will take about two days to safely remove all the gas, with work expected to be completed by tomorrow evening.

Meanwhile, the police department has filed a complaint against factory owner Ninni Kumar Jain and unnamed officials from several ministries in connection with the ammonia leak in which 68-year-old migrant worker Sheetal Singh died.

The FIR, filed under sections 105 (willful killing not amounting to murder) and 61(2) (criminal conspiracy) of the BNS, accuses officials of the Municipal Corporation, Industries Department, Punjab State Power Corporation Limited and Punjab Pollution Control Board of negligence.

The authorities are also probing how the factory was allowed to operate in such a densely populated area without proper permits. This raises questions about the control measures of the local authorities. A thorough investigation has been initiated and SDM-I Jalandhar has been directed to submit a detailed report by October 5.