Hassan: Barely two weeks after the Mangaluru-Mysuru gas pipeline via Hassan district was commissioned, cooking gas leaked from the pipeline from a point between Tamalapura and Ankapura in Hassan taluk, triggering panic among residents of Tamalapura and surrounding villages on Tuesday night who had to spend anxious moments.

Two people on a motorbike smelt the gas at around 9.30 pm and reached the area to find from where the smell was emanating. They found gas oozing out in liquid form and soon contacted Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) over phone who had displayed their numbers on a signboard in the vicinity.

In turn, HPCL officials informed the police who swung into action to evacuate the residents. Describing the scene, former Ankapura Gram Panchayat president Neelakantappa told Deccan Chronicle on Wednesday that some residents panicked as the news of the gas leak spread in the night. The villagers were shifted to temples and school buildings while others moved to their relatives’ houses. Some did not panic and stayed at their houses.

As a precautionary measure, power supply was disconnected to the villages and residents were asked not to take up cooking. Meanwhile, HPCL officials said: “We do not know the exact cause of the gas leak. Gas pipelines are about 6 feet beneath the ground and pipes are made out of iron.”

Mangalore Refineries and Petrochemicals Limited (MRPL) and HPCL authorities have cordoned off the area with the help of the police. Fire force personnel were deployed at the spot.

Deputy Commissioner Chaitra, Superintendent of Police Rahul Kumar and other officials visited the area. To nullify the gas effect in the vicinity, authorities concerned loaded liquefied gas from a point, about three kms from the leak area, onto tankers and transported it to various destinations.