Acid lorry falls into village pond

RAMANATHAPURAM: Police force has been deployed at Soliyakudi village here after an acid-laden lorry fell into the village oorani (water body) in the wee hours on Sunday. Sources said the lorry was heading to Chennai with sulphuric acid from a Sterlite industry in Thoothukudi. The accident occurred when the driver, Ilayaraja of Cuddalore, lost control of the vehicle, which fell into the oorani located at the entrance of Soliyakudi village.Ilayaraja, who was trapped under the lorry, was killed after he was corroded by the acid. The sulphuric acid spilled into the oorani and got mixed with the water, which was being used by the local people for several years, mostly for bathing.Meanwhile, officials and local people witnessed a large number of dead fish floating in the oorani due to the acid spill.Based on information, a police team led by Superintendent of Police Kaliraj Maheskumar rushed to the spot and prevented the entry of people into the water body. A temporary thorn fencing has been erected around it. Meanwhile, the services of Tamil Arasan, Safety Officer from CECRI-Kovilur, Karaikudi, were requisitioned to take some water samples to test the extent of acid in the water.A team Pollution Control Board officials from Sivaganga, led by Bharathi Dasan, checked the area for pollution, since acid fumes were emanating from the oorani for some hours.It is said that a team of  officials from the Sterlite company came to the spot to make efforts to neutralize the water for public use.SP Kaliraj Maheskumar told ‘Express’ that the team of experts from Pollution Control Board  and CECRI  conducted water tests in the oorani.“Steps are being taken to neutralize the water. As such, no one will be allowed to go anywhere near the oorani till the situation is back to normal,” he added.