On Saturday evening, a CNG cylinder blast took place at Indiranagar in Thane west and nine people were injured. The blast took place inside a Buddha Vihar in the area around 7.40pm. “There was some work going inside the Buddha Vihar when the CNG cylinder blasted. And nine people were injured,” says an official from the TMC (Thane municipal corporation) fire brigade department. One fire engine reached the spot in 15 minutes and the fire was brought under control. Of the nine injured, four are said to be serious and have been admitted to Thane civil hospital.
According to a political activist from the area Guru Gawli, there was a tea stall inside the gate of the Buddha Vihar. “We have never seen a tea stall inside a religious place and thought it would be dangerous for
people.Before we could take it up with the administration, this incident happened,” says Gawli.
Neither the fire officials nor the TMC disaster management were able to provide details about the exact work going inside the Buddha Vihar.“We do not know what work was going on,” said the fire brigade official. Thane’s guardian minister Eknath Shinde visited the accident spot in Indiranagar.
