Chhattisgarh: 13 killed in massive explosion at Vedanta power plant

In Chhattisgarh, at least 13 workers were killed and 23 others injured after a steam-carrying tube connected to a boiler exploded at a Vedanta Ltd power plant in Singhitarai village Sakti district on Tuesday afternoon. The powerful blast occurred at around 2:30 pm in a tube supplying high-pressure steam from the boiler to the turbine at the Vedanta Ltd power plant causing severe burns to workers, Sakti Superintendent of Police (SP) Prafull Thakur informed media. 
The blast occurred around 2:00 PM in a boiler tube during operational hours, triggering a stampede-like situation as workers scrambled for safety. The intensity of the blast caused significant structural damage to the unit, complicating immediate rescue efforts. Vedanta Limited has expressed deep sympathy and initiated an internal probe alongside state authorities to determine the cause of the technical failure.  A spokesperson for Vedanta Limited confirmed that the incident involved personnel from their sub-contractor, NGSL, who manage the unit’s maintenance. The company stated, “We are in the process of ascertaining details and are closely coordinating with medical teams to provide full support to the affected families.”
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai expressed grief over the incident and announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh to the kin of each deceased worker and Rs 50,000 to those injured. Sai ordered the Commissioner of Bilaspur division to conduct an inquiry into the tragedy and said the strictest possible action would be taken against anyone found guilty in the probe. The district administration has ordered a separate magisterial probe into the industrial accident, while Vedanta has initiated its own inquiry.
The construction of 1,200 MW coal-based thermal power project (two units of 600 MW each) in Singhitarai, originally owned by Athena Chhattisgarh Power Ltd, was started in 2009, but remained stalled between 2016 and 2022. Vedanta acquired the plant in 2022, after which one 600 MW unit was completed and commissioned in August last year, while the second unit is still under construction.