Mangalore : The district administration is clearly displeased with the manner in which the HPCL company reacted to the recent gas tanker tragedy at Perne near Uppinangady which claimed eight lives and left several injured   apart from causing extensive damage to property.

At  a meeting with officials of oil marketing companies and officials of the district administration held on April 10, Wednesday, the Deputy Commissioner Harsh Gupta took the HPCL authorities to task for  the recent tragedy. He also has given a 48 hour deadline to the company to reply to all queries raised by him.

The DC took strong exception to the failure of the oil marketing companies to take responsibility for such tragedies and added that the police department would initiate appropriate action in connection with the recent tragedy. Permitting transportation of gas in tankers without any responsibility is unpardonable, the DC said., He also directed the RTO authorities  to routinely check gas tankers to ensure that all documents are in place and that a tanker has two drivers and a cleaner.

The DC also interacted with NHAI officials on the measures that can be taken to reduce the dangers faced by vehicles while negotiating steep curves. He further said fitting gas tankers with GPS may solve such problems.

Abhishek Goyal, SP, MCC Commissioner Dr Harish Kumar, Additional DC Dayanand, BPCL, IOC and MRPL officials, Chief Fire Officer Varadaraj and others were present.