Environmentalists assessing impact of IOC fire

Jaipur, Nov 3 : Environmentalists were assessing the toxic impact of the devastating fire at the IOC depot in Jaipur on environment, sources said.

While Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board has set up a committee for the purpose, the Central Pollution Control Board was also monitoring the situation.

''Environmental damage caused by the fire could be worse as a variety of toxic gases are polluting the environment'', said a State Pollution Control Board official.

''We can not say what the damage has been, but we are monitoring sulphur dioxide, suspended particulate matter (SPM), respirable suspended particulate matter (RSPM) and oxides of nitrogen. The damage can not be quantified at this point of time, but we have set up a committee to see the combined effect of all the pollutants and take remedial measures'', he said.

Officials of Central Pollution Control Board were also working here to assess the damage, the Board sources said.

As many as 11 people have died and over 100 injured in the fire which broke out in the IOC depot at Sitapura here on Thursday evening.

The devastating fire completely ruined the IOC depot premises burning over 63,200 kilolitre of petro fuel and damaging a large number of factories, shops, and houses in the neighbouring Sitapura Industrial area and institutional area.

--UNI

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