Mumbai Notes

EXPRESS NEWSLINE

Kalyan residents hit by gas leak

Several hundred residents of Chakki Naka, Kalyan were affected yesterday when a sulphur processing unit caught fire leading to massive emissions of sulphur trioxide gas. It took five fire engines over six hours to quell the flames at S B Chemicals in Kalyan-Amberanth industrial belt, by which time a large number of residents had fled the area.

According to residents, they first smelt something wrong at about 3.30 pm. The fire brigade was informed only at around 5.30 pm by which time the fire spread to other parts of the unit. The flames were doused at 11.30 pm after additional fire engines were called from Ulhasnagar. According to Kolsewadi police station in-charge PI R D Jagtap, the fire was caused due to sparks from the grinder which is, in complete violation of safety norms, kept very close to where sulphur is stored.

Rioting at Vile Parle station

Western Railway commuters went on a rioting spree smashing furniture at the Vile Parle stationsuperintendent's office and holding up trains this afternoon after a ticketless traveller was injured while escaping ticket checkers. According to the Government Railway Police (GRP), the incident which occurred at around 2 pm. Deepak Motiram Bholaram (21) leapt off the running train onto platform to escape the TCs. He collided against a pole injuring his forehead. He was taken to the station superintendent's office when a crowd gathered. After an argument with officials, a free-for-all ensued and around 100 commuters smashed telephones, windows, cupboards and halted passing local trains. However, no one was injured in the fracas.

The rioting ceased when a posse of RPF and GRP personnel arrived on the spot. The youth was taken to Cooper hospital. He is charged with ticketless travel.

Shailesh Dave passes away

Noted Gujarati film and theatre writer, director, and actor Shailesh Dave died of bone cancer at his Vile Parle residence early today. He was 58 and is survived by his mother, wife andtwo daughters. Dave was suffering from this ailment and had been bed-ridden for nearly a year, said family members. Dave was the director of the first Gujarati drama Megh Dhanush in 1978. His other achievements include acting in over 25 Gujarati films and dramas.
50 illegal shops razed in Mulund

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation razed 50 unauthorised shops and commercial structures in Mulund (W) today.
The shops, occupying 2,500 sq mts at Karagir industrial estates on LBS Marg, were demolished under the instructions of T ward officer, Ashok Bidarkar. Deputy Municipal Commissioner (zone 5 & 6) S R Dange had ordered the demolition.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.

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