The gas leak that never was

The alleged “gas leak” in Parliament, which led to the adjournment of the proceedings of the Rajya Sabha on Thursday and had its members on their feet, was, in fact, the stench emanating from a six-foot long blocked drain pipe. Maintenance of this Lutyens’ era building is an enormous challenge for the Central Public Works Department, which is responsible for Parliament’s upkeep. The alleged drain, say sources, has not been cleaned in the past 60 years. On the last occasion when a stench led to opening a part of this drain, pots, pans and pressure cookers were found clogging the drain.