One of the biggest industrial tragedies in the state's timeline, the deadly explosion at Vedanta Ltd.'s thermal power plant in Chhattisgarh's Sakti district, has claimed 16 lives. Severe worries about workplace safety, political protests, and several inquiries into the blast's cause and the plant's compliance with safety protocols have all arisen from the incident.
Also Read | Vedanta plant blast: 9 killed, 15 injured in an explosion in Chhattisgarh's Sakti district
Tragic power plant explosion
A high-pressure steam piping that linked a boiler to the turbine exploded at the thermal power plant in Singhitarai hamlet, causing the explosion. Many employees suffered significant burn injuries as a result of the devastating effects. On Wednesday, the number of workers rose to 16 due to four immediate deaths and more from injuries suffered during treatment, reported The Times of India
The explosion injured about 20 workers. Five of the workers with serious injuries were sent to hospitals in Raipur for better care, while the remaining workers are receiving treatment at different hospitals across the Raigarh region. Due to severe burns, many victims are fighting for their lives.
Vedanta comes forward along with PM Modi to compensate.
According to Vedanta Ltd., the victims were employees of subcontractors engaged in regular maintenance and operations, including NGSL, per TOI report. The company promised ₹15 lakh to the injured, along with pay continuance and counselling support, and ₹35 lakh in compensation and job support for the families of the victims.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered ₹50,000 for those injured from the PMNRF and ₹2 lakh ex gratia for the relatives of the dead. Also, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai announced compensation of ₹5 lakh and directed the Bilaspur district division commissioner to conduct an investigation. To determine if a human mistake or a mechanical malfunction sparked the explosion, another judicial investigation is currently in progress.
Political rage outburst
The incident has caused a political issue, and Congress is demanding for criminal prosecution and accusing the management of terrible mismanagement. The party has requested a FIR, a court probe, and more compensation of ₹1 crore to the victim and ₹50 lakh for the injured.
For the 1,200 MW coal-fired power plant, which began in 2009 and was sold by Vedanta Ltd. in 2025, one 600 MW unit is currently in use; the second unit is still being constructed.
