Gas smell pervades Manali, residents say life is difficult

CHENNAI: Residents of Manali and Thiruvottiyur have over the past month been struggling with the odour of an LPG-like gas, with many complaining of eye irritation and breathlessness. Most residents keep their doors shut, while some corporation officials in zonal offices vacate offices by 2pm.
When TOI visited areas in Manali such as Periya Thoppu, Chinna Sekkadu, CPCL Nagar on Wednesday, the odour was evident off and on. The smell continues to pervade the area despite the Tamil Nadu government setting up a committee led by an Isro scientist to identify the source and stop it.
The state environment department has in an order called it an “intolerable pungent odour similar to that of LPG,” not naming any specific chemical content. Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) chairman M Jayanthi told TOI that based on inspections, officials had inspected the CPCL refinery and issued instructions as the smell seemed to be coming from that side.