Nagpur: The chlorine tonners (cylinders) installed at the Maharashtra Jeevan Pradhikaran’s (MJP) water treatment plant were not equipped with alarm systems to trigger emergency action in the event of a gas leak.According to sources, an alarm system serves as an early-warning mechanism, enabling personnel to promptly initiate neutralisation measures. The system was not part of the product specifications at the time of procurement.“Even with a well-maintained neutralisation pit and adequate stocks of caustic soda, an alarm system was essential to ensure timely corrective action,” they added.MJP officials of the rank of executive engineer and superintending engineer confirmed that the equipment, procured from a Nagpur-based trading firm, did not include sensors to alert staff.Sources in the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) said that once a leak is detected, chlorine can either be drawn into a neutralisation pit through a suction system, where it reacts with caustic soda and is rendered harmless, or the leaking cylinder can be enclosed in a specialised hood and shifted to a safer location for neutralisation.
