Boy’s death: PMC to inspect garages

PUNE: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) plans to conduct safety surveys at repair centres and auto garages across the city in the backdrop of an auto cylinder blast in a garage in Nana Peth which resulted in the death of a boy while another minor was left seriously injured.
The garage owner was breaking down a scrapped car when the CNG cylinder inside developed a leak. The gas caught fire, causing an explosion.
Three people, including two minors and a youth, suffered severe burns. The garage is located in a congested area of Nana Peth where scrapped vehicles are dumped.
“Corporators have consistently raised the issue of illegal constructions and garages in the city. Vehicles at these garages pose safety threat. Several accidents have been reported in this area of Nana Peth due to constant movement of vehicles, most of which end up in the dump yard,” said Shiv sena corporator Poonam Zende during a debate in the general body meeting.
Zende said the gravity of the issue was realized after a boy aged two lost his life in a CNG blast last week.
She accused the PMC administration of taking the matter lightly. They have not taken any steps to resolve the matter, Zende alleged.
Zonal commissioner Madhukar Garad said, “Illegal garages in the area will be removed. The administration will concentrate on the safety aspect of these garages. A safety survey of all other areas will be conducted soon. Corrective measures will be taken to ensure such accidents do not occur again. The PMC will act tough.”