New Delhi: At least 15 people were killed and more than 100 others were injured after a boiler tube exploded at National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) unit in Unchahar of Uttar Pradesh’s Rae Bareli district. The blast reportedly took place when a boiler tube exploded at the unit.
“Ash-pipe exploded due to pressure at NTPC plant in Rae Bareli,” the District Magistrate told a news agency. He confirmed that 100 people suffered injuries in the blast. Reports suggested the boiler unit at the NTPC plant in Rae Bareli was under trial.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who is currently on a tour to Mauritius, has directed Principal Secretary Home to ensure all steps for relief and rescue at the accident site.
The injured have been admitted to the district hospital. About 150 workers were present inside the plant when the explosion took place at the NTPC plant.
The plant area has been sealed and a CISF contingent is camping at the site. Meanwhile, a fully equipped team of NDRF consisting of 32 personnel has left Lucknow for Unchahar to assist in the rescue work.
The Uttar Pradesh government has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh for the next of kin of deceased and Rs 50,000 for critically injured and Rs 25,000 for injured.
There has been no official statement from the NTPC so far.
All About NTPC’s Feroze Gandhi Unchahar Thermal Power Plant
The National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) operates a 1550 Mega Watt power plant at Unchahar in Raebareli district of Uttar Pradesh. The thermal power plant is named after Feroze Gandhi, husband of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
Boiler tube explosion, Raebareli ( NTPC, Uncha har)- Current update pic.twitter.com/5veRyssnor
— UP POLICE (@Uppolice) November 1, 2017
The power plant’s first unit was made operational in 1988 and a fourth unit was added in April 2017.
NTPC is the largest power utility company in India with a total installed capacity of 51708 MW.
