Chhattisgarh Government Launches Investigation into Vedanta Power Plant Accident
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Raipur, April 17 (NationPress) The government of Chhattisgarh has initiated an investigation into the tragic incident at Vedanta Power Limited's facility located in Singhitarai, within the Dabhra tehsil of Sakti district. The Bilaspur Divisional Commissioner has been designated as the inquiry officer for this matter.
An official announcement from the General Administration Department revealed that the accident transpired on April 14 in Boiler Unit-1, resulting from a technical malfunction in the water supply pipe joint linked to a steam pipeline.
This unfortunate event has claimed the lives of numerous workers, with reports confirming that the death toll from the boiler explosion has reached 20. Additionally, 15 injured workers are currently receiving medical care at various hospitals.
In light of the severity of the incident, the state government has mandated a comprehensive inquiry to investigate the timeline and circumstances surrounding the accident, its root causes, and the preventive measures necessary to avert future occurrences.
The inquiry officer has been instructed to conclude the investigation within 30 days and present findings to the state government.
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai expressed profound sorrow over this incident, labeling it as deeply tragic and painful. He paid homage to the deceased workers and extended condolences to their grieving families.
The Chief Minister has also urged authorities to ensure a thorough and prompt investigation, with strict accountability for those deemed responsible.
The explosion resulted in substantial damage to the facility and sparked panic among the workers present at the site.
Law enforcement, under the leadership of Station House Officer Rajesh Patel, arrived promptly to commence an investigation into the incident.
The injured workers were transported to medical facilities in Raigarh district, including the Medical College Hospital, Apex Hospital, and Metro Hospital.
An initial technical assessment by the Chief Boiler Inspector indicated that an excessive accumulation of fuel within the furnace led to pressure buildup and subsequent damage to associated pipelines.
The Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) in Sakti supported these findings, identifying fuel overload as the fundamental cause. Further investigations revealed significant maintenance and safety protocol failures by Vedanta Limited and its contractor NGSL, notably the neglect of pressure fluctuations and equipment maintenance.