NAGPUR: At least 52 people were hospitalised after a chlorine gas leak at a water treatment plant in Godhani, near Collector’s Colony, during the intervening night of Sunday and Monday.Twelve of those admitted have already been discharged, while all the patients are reported to be stable. Four minors are among those hospitalised.Senior PI Haresh Kalsekar of Mankapur police station said a station diary entry had been made regarding the incident. “No offence has been registered as of now. We will conduct an enquiry,” he said.The leak triggered breathing difficulties among residents in the vicinity, several of whom were rushed to Mayo Hospital and nearby private hospitals. The immediate area around the tanker continued to reek of chlorine when TOI visited on Monday morning, although the situation was under control. Sources said the concentration of the gas in the area was gradually declining.Orange City Water Works (OCW), the NDRF and Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) teams conducted a joint operation to evacuate people from the affected area and bring the situation under control. The operation was still underway on Monday morning.However, OCW officials clarified that the affected facility is a Godhani Gram Panchayat-operated water plant and not an NMC- or OCW-operated facility. The OCW team responded to the emergency and assisted in controlling the leak using SCBA (self-contained breathing apparatus) sets. Police and officials from the Directorate of Industrial Safety and Health (DISH) reportedly appreciated the quick response and assistance provided by OCW personnel.Preliminary information suggests that a 900-kg chlorine tank had been kept on the premises for around six months and had developed a leak in its wall, which is suspected to be the source of the incident. The exact cause and circumstances leading to the leakage, however, will be established through the police enquiry.The impact appeared to be largely confined to the immediate vicinity of the plant. Further along Godhani Road, residents and morning walkers were seen continuing with their routine, with no visible panic.Videos circulating on social media have also purportedly shown stray dogs dying in the affected area. The circumstances and cause of the animals’ deaths have not been independently verified.