Mumbai | July 23, 2025 — A potentially dangerous ammonia gas leak at the Mahananda Dairy plant in Goregaon (East) was brought under control late Tuesday evening, thanks to a rapid multi-agency emergency response. The incident, which originated from a faulty valve on a 3,000-kg refrigeration tank, resulted in no reported injuries or casualties but raised concerns about industrial safety in dairy processing facilities.
🚨 Timeline of Events
At 9:12 PM, civic officials were alerted to a gas leak inside the plant’s 2,000 sq. ft. refrigeration unit. The leakage was traced to a malfunctioning valve on a tank storing liquid ammonia, a critical refrigerant in dairy chilling systems. As ammonia levels spiked, the plant’s in-house electrician quickly disconnected the main power supply, triggering standard safety protocols.
🧯 Agencies Mobilised
Multiple emergency teams were deployed, including:
- Mumbai Fire Brigade
- HAZMAT Unit (Hazardous Materials specialists)
- Mumbai Police
- 108 Ambulance Services
- Ward Control Officers
The HAZMAT team, donning chemical suits and supported by 25 breathing apparatus kits, sealed the leak using specialised sealant material from their vehicles. Firefighters simultaneously shut off 15–16 auxiliary valves and neutralised residual ammonia using high-pressure water lines.
An estimated 15–20 kg of ammonia gas, mixed with Prizol 68 lubricant oil, was safely transferred into an adjacent containment tank. The area was cordoned off to prevent exposure risks, and no injuries were reported among plant workers or emergency responders.
🧊 Why Ammonia Matters in the Dairy Industry
Ammonia is widely used in the cold chain of milk and dairy products for its high efficiency as a refrigerant. However, it is also a toxic and corrosive substance, making leak detection and safety systems critical to protecting both plant workers and product integrity.
“This incident highlights the urgent need for continuous maintenance, early valve inspections, and regular emergency drills in India’s dairy processing plants,” said a Mumbai-based dairy safety consultant.
