Bhubaneswar: A major traffic chaos ensued after an oil tanker developed a leak near Palasuni Square in Odisha capital, spilling fuel across the busy Bhubaneswar-Cuttack national highway (NH-16) on Wednesday night.
The tanker was heading from Bhubaneswar toward Cuttack when the incident occurred. It created panic among commuters and led to a complete halt in traffic movement on one of the city’s mo
st important routes. The exact reason behind the rupture of the tanker’s oil chamber was not immediately known.
According to eyewitnesses, the tanker suddenly ruptured while in transit, releasing large amounts of oil onto the road surface. The spill made the stretch dangerously slippery, forcing authorities to stop vehicular movement immediately to avoid accidents. Motorists stranded in the jam reported long delays and confusion as emergency services rushed to the spot.
Police and fire service personnel quickly cordoned off the affected area and worked to contain the spill. Traffic police diverted vehicles to alternative routes, but congestion remained heavy for several hours. Sand was put over the spillage to prevent vehicles from slipping before it could be fully cleaned, the sources added.