Tanker topples in Kanpur, locals loot oil spilled on highway

KANPUR: Locals in Akbarpur Raniya area of Kanpur Dehat went euphoric and scrambled for a surprise ‘gift’ on Monday evening, when a tanker carrying mustard oil rammed a microvan and overturned near Rajendra bridge junction. The accident led to spilling of hundreds of litres of mustard oil on the street.
The locals initially rushed to the spot to rescue the driver, but soon realised that he had already escaped from the mishap site.Later, chaos followed as people ran and scrambled to secure as much oil in drums and containers. On receiving information about the accident, the local police rushed to the spot and cordoned off the area.

The tanker was later removed with the help of powerful cranes and was shifted to the roadside. The vehicular movement on Kanpur-Kanpur Dehat highway was disrupted for nearly two hours due to the incident. The oil spillage also caused a huge inconvenience to commuters on the stretch.
The police said that that initially there was mad rush to loot mustard oil spilled on the road but later the locals were chased and the situation was pacified soon. The tanker was reported to be transporting mustard oil from Kanpur to a factory in Akbarpur Raniya.SP Kanpur Dehat, Radheyshyam, said, “We are investigating the incident. The police will file a complaint against the tanker driver if found guilty as the incident led to chaos on the highway.”