the National Human Rights Commission has directed the Gujarat government to file a report on the toxic gas leak in Jamnagar city, which is causing serious health problems among one million local people. On August 14, 2001, a gaseous odour was detected in some parts of Jamnagar. Following this incident, many cases of headache, breathlessness and burning sensation in the eyes were reported from the city. Experts from the Nagpur-based National Environment Engineering Research Institute (neeri) and the state pollution control board have failed to find out the exact cause of the phenomenon. They opine that the odour is a result of a leaking hydrocarbon. A number of air monitoring stations have been set, including one near the Reliance Petroleum refinery, located just 30 km from the city. The refinery is being pointed out by many as the source of the leakage. However, some city officials suspect that the leak could be from a pipeline of the Gas Authority of India.
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