Nagpur: A day after a chlorine gas leak triggered panic and sent dozens of residents to hospitals, district collector’s probe team on Tuesday uncovered a string of glaring safety gaps at Maharashtra Jeevan Pradhikaran (MJP) 6-MLD water treatment plant (WTP) at Godhani — including absence of caustic soda near the chlorination unit, inadequate breathing apparatus and oxygen cylinders, and no mechanised system to handle the 900kg chlorine tank.The inspection also found that the tank from which the leak occurred was still lying on the plant premises, even as MJP had moved other chlorine tank that was in use. Presence of the leaking tank at the site is expected to be examined by technical team as part of its probe into the incident.The most startling finding was that there was no stock of caustic soda near the chlorination unit, despite it being used as an emergency neutralising agent in the event of chlorine leak. Experts from Orange City Water (OCW), who briefed the collector’s technical team during Tuesday morning’s inspection, highlighted the deficiency.The plant also lacked adequate breathing apparatus and oxygen cylinders for dealing with a toxic chlorine gas emergency. Significantly, there was no mechanised arrangement to move or pull the heavy chlorine container. Instead, a manual chain-and-pulley system had been provided, raising questions over the plant’s preparedness to handle a leaking 900kg tank.OCW experts told the committee that the impact could have been substantially worse depending on the point of failure. The tank has two nozzles — one at the top and another at the bottom. The leak occurred from the nozzle at the bottom.According to the experts, had the top nozzle failed, chlorine could potentially have spread up to a 5km radius, depending on atmospheric and other conditions. Since the leak occurred from the bottom nozzle, the impact was comparatively limited.The findings assume significance as collector Kumar Ashirwad has ordered a technical probe to establish the exact cause of the leak and identify technical, human or administrative lapses.The inspection team included OCW representatives, NMC chief fire officer Rajendra Uchake, station officer Sunil Dokre, PHE superintending engineer Shweta Banerjee, executive engineer and NDRF personnel. Officials examined the chlorination system and discussed the possible sequence of events leading to the leak.The plant’s ownership and operational status also emerged as a concern. The facility is being used by MJP through a private contractor and, according to officials, has not yet been formally handed over to Godhani Nagar Panchayat. The probe is expected to examine roles of the contractor, MJP officials and other agencies involved in designing, executing and maintaining the facility.The collector’s order directs the committee to examine chlorine storage and handling, safety standards, maintenance records, emergency response arrangements and actions taken by various agencies. It has also been asked to record statements of MJP personnel and inspect relevant logbooks and safety documents.The revelations have widened the inquiry from identifying the cause of the leak to examining whether the plant had basic safety infrastructure required to handle 900kg of highly hazardous chlorine. The committee is expected to submit its report within two days with recommendations on safety protocols, emergency response plans, training and preventive measures.
