Nagpur: At least 56 persons, including four minors, were hospitalised after a chlorine gas leak from a 900kg tank at a water treatment plant (WTP) being developed at Godhani near Collector’s Colony during the intervening night of Sunday and Monday. Of the 56 hospitalised persons, eight were shifted to intensive care units while 11 others were discharged later in the day.All those hospitalised are residents of Sakar Nagar located across the road from the plant. They are being treated at six hospitals — one govt and five private facilities. No human casualty was reported, though a stray dog died in the vicinity, said district collector Kumar Ashirwad.The collector ordered a technical probe, with the report expected within three days. He also raised concerns over chlorine storage, saying hazardous cylinders should be kept in a completely sealed and contained room so that any leakage remains confined.Maharashtra Jeevan Pradhikaran (MJP) is developing the WTP with a capacity of 4.5 million litres per day. The leak is suspected to have originated from a standby chlorine tank that remained at the plant for around six months.The incident occurred around 12.10am on Monday. Residents from nearby areas began coughing and experiencing breathlessness before rushing out of their homes. Nearly 80 residents of Sakar Nagar were compelled to leave their homes temporarily. Around 40 labourers and their families living in temporary shanties outside the plant also fled the area, a councillor from Godhani Nagar Panchayat, Deepak Raut, said.“My family members started coughing and faced breathing problems. Soon, we noticed that other residents were also coming out of their houses,” said Sunil Bhatt, a Sakar Nagar resident.On being alerted by residents, Mankapur police and fire teams reached the spot. The Godhani Nagar Panchayat fire tender could not be immediately deployed as officials reportedly struggled to locate its key. It later reached the spot early morning. A Mahadula gram panchayat tender reached first, followed by Nagpur Municipal Corporation fire tenders.Expert teams from Orange City Water Limited (OCWL), which handles water supply operations and maintenance in Nagpur, along with National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and NMC teams, joined the operation. OCWL personnel entered the affected area wearing self-contained breathing apparatus, while a team used water, caustic soda and ice to contain the leakage.Senior PI Haresh Kalsekar of Mankapur police station said a station diary entry has been made. “No offence has been registered as of now. We will conduct an inquiry,” he said.The plant vicinity continued to reek of chlorine on Monday morning, though officials said the concentration was declining. NDRF declared the area safe from chlorine contamination at 9am and said residents could return home. However, Ashirwad advised them to return only by Monday evening as a precaution.Ashirwad said all water and sewage treatment plants storing hazardous gases in the district would be inspected.
