"I was told that an unused clorine cylinder had been lying in the plant for the last 10 years, and the gas leaked from that cylinder," Koda, who visited the hospital here this morning to inquire about those admitted there, said.
"The incident could have been averted had the cylinder been removed from the place. It is a clear case of negligence," Koda, who was accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister Sudhir Mahto, told reporters.
After the leakage yesterday afternoon, altogether 180 people were hospitalised with breathing problems.
Now only 26 people, including a fresh admission of a woman with similar complictions today, have been in the Tata Motors Hospital. The rest were discharged, hospital sources said.
