'White fumes' worries SPG officials at AIIMS

The Special protection Group personnel guarding prime minister Manmohan Singh at the AIIMS went into a tizzy early on Sunday when white fumes were found emanating from a Medical Oxygen Plant housed next to the Cardio Thoracic Centre (CTC), where he is admitted.

The SPG and the Delhi Police personnel guarding the CTC were surprised when they saw white fumes spreading on the roads which lead to the building at around 12:30 a.m.

A posse of SPG men stood looking at the white coloured cylinder-shaped Medical Oxygen Plant which is located between the Hospital Manifold Room, which houses the medical gases pipeline and vacuum system, and the civil and electrical service centre of the AIIMS.

The SPG personnel then summoned the Delhi Police security men who subsequently called some hospital staff who later briefed them about the fumes.

The fumes were nothing but coming out due to over-cooling of the ice tubes which help the medical oxygen to remain at suitable temperature in the cylinder, a medical staff said.

The huge Oxygen plant is situated just opposite to the Organ Retrieval Banking Organisation (ORBO).
    
The overcooled tubes were seen releasing vapours, which was the centre of focus for other security officials who came
following change of duty.

"This is a normal phenomenon which happens during Winter as the ice forms on the cooling tubes. The security officials
do not have this idea and hence are worried," a medical staff, who requested anonymity, said.

A tight security ring was thrown for the PM during the night with a security vehicle and Delhi Police Commandos stand guarding right at the middle of the road which leads to the CTC from the Medical Superintendent office.

Prime minister Manmohan Singh is recuperating after he underwent a successful coronary by-pass surgery on Saturday in which five grafts were done to overcome multiple blockages to heart in an operation that lasted for a little over eleven
hours.