Panel formed to probe Noida ‘gas leak’ mystery

On the evening of February 24, around 7pm, several residents started complaining of a strong PNG-like gas smell around their homes. Complaints of the stench were reported from multiple sectors and housing societies

The Gautam Budh Nagar district magistrate has set up a committee to probe last month’s ‘gas leak’ mystery in Noida. With no leads about how the strong stench of gas emanated across five sectors, Suhas LY sought a detailed report within a week’s time and formed a four-member panel.

Gas pipeline signage at the residential colony in Sector 93, Noida. (Sunil Ghosh/HT Photo)

On the evening of February 24, around 7pm, several residents started complaining of a strong PNG-like gas smell around their homes. Complaints of the stench were reported from multiple sectors and housing societies.

From the personal accounts of several residents, it was ascertained that the stench was reported in Sectors 137, 93, 93B and 128. People living near the Sector 137 Metro station and those driving past these sectors on the Noida-Greater Noida Expressway also reported about the incident. With the smell not dissipating even after a while, several WhatsApp groups went abuzz as more and more residents pinged to say that it smelt as if there was a “massive gas leakage” in the neighbourhood.

Housing societies such as Logix Blossom County, Purvanchal Royal Park, Supertech Ecociti and Paras Tierra, all located in Sector 137, even turned off their main PNG supply line after the flurry of complaints.

Worried residents made several calls to report about the stench and the authorities had sprung into action to detect its source and resolve the issue. The cooking gas lines across the five sectors were also physically checked for leaks but nothing was found. However, almost two weeks after the incident, there is still no clarity on the matter.

“All the gas pipelines were checked but nothing was found at the time. We will now again ask the residents to describe the stench and get more physical inspections done and will soon come to a conclusion,” said Chaman Sharma, the district supply officer.

The committee will be headed by city magistrate Dharmendra Kumar with DSO Sharma as secretary and two other nominated members from the Noida authority and police.