Image: Supplied
Bengaluru: A tanker reportedly carrying chemicals overturned and caught fire on NICE Road near the Kanakapura Road toll, triggering a major emergency response and leaving traffic backed up for several kilometres on the busy corridor connecting Electronic City, Kanakapura Road and Mysuru Road.
According to an on-the-spot report, the tanker was travelling from Chennai towards Mumbai when one of its tyres allegedly burst, causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle.
The tanker reportedly brushed against a Skoda car before striking a roadside pole belonging to the NICE Road operator, losing balance and overturning.
Soon after the tanker fell on its side, it caught fire. The flames reportedly spread rapidly because of the chemical cargo being transported.
The incident occurred on the NICE Road stretch near a Puravankara apartment complex and close to the Silk Institute side of the Kanakapura Road connection.
The driver managed to get out of the tanker and escape without injury, according to the report. No loss of life or injuries to other motorists were reported at the time of the information available.
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Fire and Emergency Services personnel, police and traffic officials rushed to the spot and began a prolonged operation to contain the blaze.
Initial reports had suggested that the vehicle could be a fuel tanker, but personnel at the scene later indicated that it was carrying chemicals.
Officials at the spot were reported to have said that the tanker contained several internal compartments and that chemical remained in at least some of them, making the firefighting operation more difficult.
Because of the nature of the cargo, firefighters were attempting to keep the blaze under control while the remaining chemical was exhausted, rather than allowing the fire to spread suddenly.
The report said treated water and firefighting agents were being used continuously. Even chemical-contaminated runoff was reportedly catching fire in places, illustrating the difficulty of controlling the blaze.
Several fire tenders were deployed. Some had already exhausted their water supply and were being sent back for replenishment while others continued working at the scene.
The emergency response had been underway for several hours and officials expected the operation to continue for at least another one to two hours, depending on the intensity and quantity of chemical still remaining in the tanker.
Traffic police initially stopped vehicle movement on the affected carriageway and also held traffic on the adjacent road because of concerns over the possibility of further flare-ups or explosions.
As the fire came under partial control, officials began allowing vehicles to move slowly through one lane on the neighbouring carriageway.
However, the prolonged closure resulted in a severe traffic build-up.
The on-ground report estimated queues of at least five to six kilometres behind the incident location, while congestion on both sides of the corridor together was estimated at around eight to 10 kilometres.
Vehicles approaching NICE Road from the Bannerghatta Road entry point were being stopped and advised not to proceed further because of the blockage ahead.
Motorists who had already entered the expressway had limited options because turning back was difficult amid the long traffic queue.
The affected stretch is a key link used by vehicles travelling between Electronic City, Bannerghatta Road, Kanakapura Road, Mysuru Road and further towards Tumakuru Road.
Police and NICE Road personnel were regulating entry and trying to move stranded traffic gradually as firefighting continued.
Motorists planning to use the Kanakapura Road–Mysuru Road section of NICE Road were advised in the report to avoid the stretch and use city roads where possible until normal movement was restored.
Officials at the scene were expected to keep traffic restrictions in place until the remaining chemical was safely dealt with and the tanker no longer posed a fire or explosion risk.
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