Crude glycerin leakage from container hits traffic in Thane for over two hours

Traffic movement on the busy Ghodbunder Road in Thane district of Maharashtra was disrupted for more than two hours after crude glycerin leaked from a container truck shortly after midnight on Sunday, January, officials said.

“No one was injured in the incident that took place at Gaimukh Ghat in the city,” they said. The local disaster management unit was informed about the incident at 12.42.

“The container truck carrying 25 tonnes of crude glycerin belonging to a private company was on its way to Gujarat from Ambernath in the district when the liquid started leaking and spilled on the road surface,” Thane disaster management unit chief Yasin Tadvi said.

“Traffic, fire brigade and disaster management personnel rushed to the scene. Due to the spill and the precautions taken, traffic on Ghodbunder Road remained slow for two and a half hours until normal flow was gradually restored,” the official said.

“Soil was sprinkled on the spilled liquid on the road to prevent slipping and ensure public safety,” he said, adding that the leak was later plugged.

Crude glycerin is not classified as a hazardous or flammable substance under relevant legislation and, according to authorities, does not pose an immediate danger. It is considered a low-value by-product due to impurities and is widely used in the production of soap, animal feed and in industries such as ceramics, construction, textiles, leather and refrigerants.

The disaster management unit informed the company, which was concerned about the leak.