Power ministry panel to probe NTPC blast

NEW DELHI: The Power Ministry on Monday set up a committee to investigate the causes of the recent accident on November 1 at state-run NTPC’s Unchahar power plant, where 36 people died due to boiler blast. The panel, headed by P D Siwal Member (thermal) Central Electricity Authority (CEA), will submit its report in one month from the date of order, the Power Ministry said in an office order.

ALLAHABAD: A team of National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) officials started a probe into boiler blast at the thermal power plant in Unchahar, Rae Bareli, which claimed at least 35 lives.

Talking to the HT, SDM (Unchahar) Madan Kumar said the team comprised officials and technical experts.

“The team has not interacted with the district officials yet. They visited the plant to collect evidence and investigate the cause of the blast,” said Kumar.

District magistrate, Rae Bareli, Sanjay Khatri said the team was carrying out investigation and action would be taken as per the directives of the chief minister.

Sources at Unchahar power plant said the team members visited sixth unit of the thermal power plant where the mishap took place and collected information about the incident, safety standards, names of officers on duty, and number of workers present at the time of blast.

“The team also sought technical details like steam pressure and temperature inside the boiler. Officials investigating the

mishap also noted down the account of eyewitness and workers at other units of the plant,” the sources added.

The SDM said chief minister Yogi Adityanath had directed lodging of FIR against the guilty. “Since the deaths were caused due to technical snag, we will have to wait for the inquiry report after which FIR would be lodged against the officials concerned,” he said.

“The investigating team will submit its findings to the union power ministry,” Kumar said.