Chennai: The Tiruvallur district administration turned the Kannigaipair neighbourhood into a tightly controlled zone on Saturday as authorities began removing the remaining ammonia from the seafood processing unit, where a leak that occurred two weeks ago killed 18 people.Officials barred traffic and restricted entry within a 500-metre radius of the facility. Industries and warehouses within 300 meters were asked to suspend operations and give workers the day off. Police and district officials fanned out, keeping journalists behind barricades, as teams in neon green full-body protective suits and respirators began operation.Nearly two weeks after the ammonia leak at the private seafood processing unit, 18 women have died and 14 people are still treatment. Fifty one others were discharged after treatment.At 9am, a 15-member team, in the presence of officials from the Directorate of Industrial Safety and Health, and Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board, began removing the ammonia, estimated at two tonnes, from the facility. A mobile laboratory monitored air quality throughout the operation, while emergency personnel were on standby.Officials said a little over half of the operation was completed during the day, and the remaining work is scheduled for Sunday. “High-pressure ammonia from the main storage tanks was transferred through pipelines into an ammonia bullet vehicle, Tiruvallur collector S Kavitha said. “The remaining ammonia trapped in the plant’s valves and pipelines will be condensed tonight (Saturday). The rest will be removed tomorrow,” she added.Regarding the delay, Kavitha told TOI, “The facility had around 400 tonnes of seafood, so the ammonia could not be removed immediately.” Once the ammonia is removed, the facility will be temporarily sealed, the collector said. The ammonia will be transported to the supplier company in Hosur or Tirunelveli.Ten factories that use ammonia have been identified in the district. “Special teams will inspect safety measures at these facilities,” she said.
