`White fumes` worries SPG officials at AIIMS

New Delhi, Jan 25 (PTI) The Special protection Group
personnel guarding Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at the
AIIMS went into a tizzy early 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 Prime Minister
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 yesterday in
which five grafts were done to overcome multiple blockages to
heart in an operation that lasted for a little over eleven
hours. PTI