Govt Aids NTPC Probe By Setting Up Another Committee To Investigate Cause Of Unchahar Accident  

The Ministry of Power on Monday (6 November) announced constitution of another independent committee of experts to investigate the causes of the accident —on 1 November at the Unchahar Thermal Power Plant of the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) In Uttar Pradesh, that killed 36 out of 80 people working at the plant at that time.

There is already a three member committee constituted by NTPC under its executive director and two General Managers investigating into the cause of the accident

Initial reports suggest that the incident was caused due to the failure of the Economiser Section in the Boiler resulting in the exhaust of flue gases, an uncommon and rarest of failure.

NTPC Unchahar has a total capacity of 1550 MW consisting of 5 units of 210 MW and one unit of 500 MW. Out of the 5 units of 210 MW, Unit 1 is under Planned Overhauling and the other units are in operation. The affected 500 me unit has been shut down.

“Efforts will be made to revive the 500 MW unit at the earliest,” NTPC Chairman Gurdeep Singh said on Friday.

The new committee constituted by the power ministry under P D Siwal, Member (Thermal), Central Electric Authority (CEA) along with three other members has been asked to investigate into the causes of the accident and also to fix responsibility, if any, besides suggesting remedial measures to avoid the recurrence of such incidents in the future.

This expert committee, if required, can also seek assistance from experts or co-opt other members.

Other three members of the committee includes Subir Chakraborty, Director (Projects), Uttar Pradesh Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam (UPRVUNL), Dhawal Prakash Antapurkar, Director of Steam Boilers, Maharashtra and Dr L D Papney, Chief Engineer, Thermal Engineering & Technology Development, CEA.

This committee has been asked to submit its report to the Ministry of Power within one month from the date of issue of this order.

Meanwhile, the NTPC Unchahar Station is slowly recovering after one the worst industrial accidents that took place on 1 November in which 36 people succumbed to injuries.

26 patients have been airlifted to Delhi on the advice of Doctors for better treatment. At present, a total of 38 patients are undergoing treatment at varioushospitals in Delhi and Lucknow.

On its part, NTPC is indeed making allout efforts to ensure best treatment to the injured victims.

Out of 38 patients, 21 patients are in Delhi and 17patients are undergoing treatment in Lucknow. A total of 6 patients were discharged from hospitals after treatment from Raebareli and Lucknow.

To take care of all the patients round the clock manned control rooms are functional at Scope, All India Institute Of Medical Sciences, Apollo Hospital, Ram Manohar Lohia Institute of Medical Science, Safdarjung Hospitals at Delhi and and Civil Hospitals at Lucknow and at Raebareli.

An officer has been attached to each patient admitted in Delhi to take care of all and any requirement. Additional helping hands and officers have reached Unchahar, Lucknow and Delhi for further assistance.

NTPC officials are seen working tirelessly to normalize the situation and provide relief to the victims and their families. In order to support the grieving families,around 22000 NTPC employees have decided to contribute one day salary which amounts to nearly Rs 6 Crore.

All medical expenses of those who are injured in the ill-fated incident are being borne by NTPC.

District officials, State and Central Government have extended all support in the rescue and relief operations.

As announced by R K Singh, Minister of State for Power during his visit to Unchahar an ex-gratia of Rs 20 lakh to the families of the deceased, Rs.10 lakh for seriously injured and Rs 2 lakh to injured shall be given to provide financial stability and support.

NTPC has disbursed an ex-gratia to affected victims/ family members. This is in addition to the relief announced by Prime Minister and Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh and besides the statutory compensation.

Multiple teams of NTPC and experts from equipment manufacturer BHEL are analyzing the cause of the incidence.