NTPC explosion: Safety norms were breached, reveals initial probe

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NEW DELHI: Initial investigations into the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) power plant explosion in Uttar Pradesh's Raebareli have reportedly revealed that safety norms at Unit Number 6 were breached.

Reports also suggested that there were some problems in the boiler and the engineers were trying to fix them.

According to NTPC officials, ash inside the boiler resulted in "extremely high pressure" and caused a leakage which eventually produced a disaster.

Earlier in the day, the NTPC formed a three-member expert committee to ascertain the reason of the Unchahar power plant blast.

The death toll in the boiler blast at state-run NTPC power plant rose to 32 on Friday. The incident also left more than 100 people injured.

Speaking to ANI, NTPC Zonal Director R.S. Rathi said, "We formed a three-member expert committee to ascertain the reason for the explosion. The director of the NTPC will be the chairman of this committee."

Rathi further said that the committee will give a report on the incident within 30 days following which an appropriate action will be taken.

The NTPC has announced a compensation of Rs 20 lakh for the kin of the deceased, Rs10 lakh for seriously injured and Rs 2 lakh for those who sustained minor injuries.

Rathi further said that the UP government and authorities of Raebareli had helped a lot in the rescue and relief operation.

On Thursday, the National Human Rights Commission issued a notice to Uttar Pradesh government and sought report within six-weeks in the incident.

(With ANI inputs)