BMC to use 'Balloon technology' to learn about gas leaks and air contamination

Officials from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), in a recently taken decision, planned to introduce a new method to detect gas leaks, contamination or strange odours found near the eastern suburbs. This technology will be implemented with the help of the fire department, whereby inspection will be conducted with a help of a special balloon in the contaminated areas in Mumbai. 

Over the last few months, the city has experienced gas leak incidents and the same raised concerns among the citizens from different areas. A week back, residents from Mumbai's Ghatkopar and nearby areas complained about unpleasant odour from the afternoon and the suspicion bothered people for several hours through the day. However, not much was known regarding the same, and nothing was reported thereafter, which has left the residents wondering about the reason.

Keeping such incidents in mind, the BMC has devised this new method which aims at solving such issues by immediately helping officials find the solution. If successful, the civic body will also direct the companies to follow the technology and adopt the same for safety reasons. Besides this, protocols and procedures are being planned to ensure such incidents are resolved in the future. 

This new method, called as the 'Balloon Technology,' includes a special device which can be used to fill the polluted air in the balloon, which can then be used to examine the gases present, and learn about the leakage. This study will in turn help the fire department act quickly. Moreover, his procedure has been successful in the past, and chemical companies can use the same to find solutions to the problems in the future. 

Several companies like BPCL, HPCL, RCF, Mahanagar Gas Limited and others in the Eastern Suburbs of Mumbai have a network of gas pipelines which connect several areas across Mumbai, and such incidents when report create a sense of panic int he entire city, whereby quick actions are expected. Addressing the same, a committee was formed by these corporations with an aim to work on air pollution and other problems, in association with different authorities like BMC, fire brigade and others.