Pune: A gas leak from an Maharashtra Natural Gas Limited (MNGL) pipeline on Jangli Maharaj Road caused panic in the area. The leak occurred near Shubham Hotel while municipal workers were engaged in sewer line work.

Fortunately, no injuries were reported. Fire department personnel and MNGL technicians swiftly responded to the scene and managed to stop the gas leak.

The incident occurred in an alley next to Shubham Hotel on Jangli Maharaj Road, where the municipal corporation was conducting sewer line work.

Around 11:45 AM, the excavation work struck an MNGL pipeline, resulting in a significant gas leak. The smell of gas spread quickly, causing alarm among the nearby residents and prompting patrons at Shubham Hotel to evacuate.

Upon receiving the alert, fire brigade personnel from the Erandwane station, including officers Pravin Randive, Dnyaneshwar Khedekar, Kishor Bane, Shankar Sonawane, Akshay Bhole, Faizal Kasbe, and Kunal Waghawale, rushed to the site.

MNGL technicians also arrived on the scene. Due to the substantial leak, the main valve of the pipeline was shut off, which helped reduce the gas leakage.

However, residual gas remained trapped in the pipeline. As municipal workers resumed their tasks, a JCB machine accidentally struck the pipeline again, igniting the gas. Firefighters quickly brought the blaze under control using water. Luckily, there were no injuries reported in this incident, according to Pravin Randive from the Erandwane fire station.

Shops Close Due to Gas Leak

The gas leak led to panic on Jungli Maharaj Road, prompting shopkeepers in the area to close their establishments. Customers and residents evacuated the shops and hotels in the vicinity as a precaution.