If the company was unable to take the recommended measures by the deadline, Shah has asked its officials to appear before him at 11 a.m. on December 8 and show why extreme action should not be enforced.

When contacted, GGCL vice-president K P Sinha said, ``The company will take all steps suggested by the district collector if they are technically feasible. We'll do whatever possible to upgrade our safety system further''.

Talking to Express Newsline on Tuesday, the collector said if the company failed to meet the deadline and the Adajan unit was closed down, the administration would have to make alternate arrangements to supply cooking gas to thousands of GGCL customers, since LPG was an essential commodity.

``I will write to the Petroleum ministry to explore the possibility of supplying gas cylinders to GGCL customers in case the company does not follow my orders'', he said, adding that he was also working on a ``contingency plan.''

The notice, dated December 1, said that the company was releasing vapours into the air, causing pollution and irritation to the public. ``The vapours are injurious to the health and physical comforts of the people residing in Surat and I am prima facie satisfied that there is utter negligence on the management's part in operating the plant''.

Shah said the notice was based on the report submitted by the Gujarat Pollution Control Board and the Central Pollution Control Board. It observed that ``important gadgets like pressure gauge and safety alarms were observed to be not working in proper condition'' and that ``the vapour of ethyl mercaptan was releasing into air while unloading (sic)''.