Godhani chlorine leak: Probe ordered, collector flags open storage of 900kg cylinder

Chlorine Leak at Nagpur Water Treatment Plant: Probe Ordered, 56 Hospitalized

NAGPUR: A major chemical emergency unfolded in Nagpur early Monday morning when a toxic chlorine gas leak at the Maharashtra Jeevan Pradhikaran (MJP) water treatment plant in Godhani Gram Panchayat sent 56 residents to the hospital, according to reports from Republic World. The leak, which originated from one of two stored chlorine cylinders, rapidly spread to adjacent residential neighbourhoods, causing acute respiratory distress and panic. Responders successfully contained the leak by completely submerging the faulty cylinder in water to neutralise the escaping gas.

A technical committee has been ordered to probe the chlorine gas leak, with Nagpur District Collector Kumar Ashirwad questioning why a 900kg chlorine cylinder was kept in an open area instead of a sealed, contained room, as reported by The Times of India. The committee is to submit its report within three days to establish the exact cause of the leak and fix responsibility if any lapse was found.

Incident and Immediate Response

The incident occurred around 12:10am, when leakage started from a reserve chlorine cylinder at the plant. The WTP uses chlorine for water purification and had two 900kg cylinders; one was a reserve cylinder and was not in use when the leak occurred. Reports by The Times of India quoted Collector Ashirwad: "There could have been a technical issue or corrosion. The committee will establish the exact reason."

Rescue teams, including the Police, SDM, and NDRF, reached the spot. The leakage was subsequently contained using ice water and caustic soda, the collector said. Around 60-70 people were evacuated, while several others were taken to hospitals, according to the collector as reported by The Times of India. Republic World reported that 11 of the 56 admitted individuals have been discharged, with 45 remaining hospitalised. Eight patients suffering from severe exposure are currently receiving critical care in the ICU, according to Republic World, which also noted that around 6-7 patients were in ICUs—a discrepancy that could not be reconciled, but The Times of India reported that seven patients were in ICUs though six of them had oxygen saturation levels of 97-98% while on non-invasive ventilation. They would need close monitoring for the next two to three days as their condition could fluctuate.

Probe and Safety Concerns

Nagpur District Collector spearheaded the multi-agency response, deploying the NDRF, industrial safety officials, and specialized medical teams. The Health Department and the District Disaster Management Authority initiated active door-to-door health checks across the affected locality to identify and treat residents exhibiting delayed exposure symptoms. High-level briefings were conducted with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Nagpur Guardian Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, who directed to ensure uncompromised medical care and have auxiliary health facilities on high alert to handle any additional emergencies, as per Republic World.

Collector Ashirwad, who visited the plant on Monday and reviewed the situation, flagged a major safety concern over the manner in which the chlorine cylinder was stored. He stated that cylinders containing hazardous gas should ideally be kept inside a completely sealed and contained room so that any leakage remains limited to that area, rather than spreading to neighboring municipalities. "Your cylinder was in an open environment. The building was there, but it was not closed. The room should be completely sealed so that it is limited to that room," he said.

The National Disaster Response Force declared the area safe around 9 AM, but residents were advised to stay away from their homes until evening as a precaution, as per The Times of India. The collector also said that he had spoken to the chief minister about the incident and would seek the latest safety assessment from officials by Tuesday. The Times of India reported that the administration will formulate a protocol to prevent a recurrence, and if there is a mistake, there will be a 100% investigation.

Wider Implications

In the wake of the incident, a safety audit will be widened to all water and sewage treatment plants in the district that store hazardous gases, to be completed within the next two days, officials said. Officials and Block Development Officers (BDOs) have also been asked to check on the status of storage and submit reports, as per The Times of India.

The technical committee's report will establish the exact cause and fix responsibility, providing a basis for future safety protocol improvements and preventive measures in the region.