RAIPUR: The death toll has risen to 16 in the blast at Vedanta’s thermal power plant in Chhattisgarh’s Sakti district on Wednesday morning, making it one of the worst industrial accidents in the state in recent years.
Questions have been raised over safety standards, with the opposition Congress demanding criminal action against the company.The toll increased after another injured worker died on Wednesday, a day after a high-pressure steam pipeline connecting the boiler to the turbine exploded at the plant in Singhitarai village. The force of the blast left workers with severe burn injuries, many of whom battled for life through the night.Police said four workers died on the spot, while others succumbed to their injuries during treatment, taking the toll to 14. Around 20 workers remain injured, with five shifted to Raipur for advanced care and the rest admitted to hospitals in Raigarh district.As the tragedy unfolded, Vedanta Ltd said on its X handle that the incident involved personnel from subcontractors, including NGSL, engaged in operations and maintenance.
The company announced compensation of Rs 35 lakh and job support for the families of the deceased, and Rs 15 lakh for the injured, along with salary continuation and counselling support.Hours after the incident, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh from the PMNRF to the next of kin of each deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured. Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai also announced Rs 5 lakh ex gratia for the kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured, and ordered a probe by the Bilaspur divisional commissioner.A parallel magisterial inquiry has also been initiated, with officials asked to examine whether the blast was triggered by a technical failure or human error, and to review safety audits at the plant.The incident quickly turned into a political flashpoint, with Congress alleging gross negligence and demanding an FIR against the management and a judicial probe. The party also sought enhanced compensation of Rs 1 crore for the deceased and Rs 50 lakh for the injured.The 1,200 MW coal-based project, originally started in 2009 and later acquired by Vedanta in 2025, had one unit of 600 MW commissioned last year, while the second unit remains under construction.
