Meerut sewage plant chlorine gas leak hospitalizes several residents

A chlorine gas leak at a sewage treatment plant (STP) in the Pallavpuram Phase-2 area of Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, caused widespread panic on Tuesday evening. The incident occurred near Akanksha Ambience Colony, prompting residents to flee their homes with children and elderly family members.

Between 8 and 15 people were reportedly hospitalized due to respiratory distress and eye irritation. Among those admitted were local councilor Vikrant Dhaka and several others, including children, to various local medical facilities such as SDS Hospital and Future Plus Hospital.

Municipal Commissioner Saurabh Gangwar stated that the leak was caused by a faulty valve on a chlorine cylinder. While some reports suggested a missing washer in a tunnel pipe might be the technical cause, officials confirmed the situation was brought under control by fire tenders and municipal waterworks teams. Local police used loudspeakers to advise residents to stay indoors and cover their faces with masks or cloth to mitigate exposure.