Leaking gas tank causes shutdown along NSE November 6, 2015 bizadmin A leaking LPG tank on a trailer near the 310th kilometre between Tapah and Gopeng led to a temporary shutdown of both sides of the North-South Expressway (NSE), causing a 5km traffic jam. The Tapah fire department said an LPG tank being hauled by a trailer along the NSE was discovered to be leaking the dangerously flammable gas. According to the trailer driver, there were two safety valves on the tank which were leaking. Fire department personnel, with the help of the police, closed both sides of the highway to allow the LPG tank to vent, as the safety valves could not be repaired. A Hazmat team from Pasir Puteh together with fire brigades from Tapah, Gopeng, Kampar and Ipoh were involved in the clean-up operation, said Fire & Rescue Department of Malaysia assistant superintendent Muhammad Shaznil Abd Thoher. During the operation, water was sprayed to cool the gas so that it could be released into the air and to prevent it from seeping below. As at 5pm, the emptying of the gas tank was completed and the highway was reopened soon after. For safety reasons, drivers were directed to exit the highway at either Gopeng or Tapah to continue on their journey. PLUS Corporate Communications deputy senior manager Iskandar Dzulkifli has also advised the public to avoid the Tapah and Gopeng interchange to bypass the massive jam. For the latest traffic updates, go to PLUSTrafik Twitter or call the PLUSLine at 1800-88-0000.
