SAKTI (Chhattisgarh), Apr 15: The death toll from a massive steam pipe explosion at Vedanta Ltd’s power plant in Sakti district climbed to 14 after another worker succumbed to injuries overnight, police confirmed Wednesday.
The blast ripped through a high-pressure steel tube linking the boiler to the turbine at the Singhitarai village facility Tuesday afternoon, inflicting severe burns on workers. Four died instantly, 10 more later, with the latest fatality pushing the count to 14, said Sakti SP Prafull Thakur.
Of the 20 injured, five were airlifted to Raipur for specialized care; the rest are treated in Raigarh hospitals.
CM Vishnu Deo Sai announced Rs 5 lakh compensation per deceased family and Rs 50,000 for the injured. He ordered a Bilaspur division commissioner inquiry, plus a magisterial probe by Dabhra SDM (report due in 30 days, covering causes, errors, and safety checks). Vedanta launched its internal investigation. The CM stressed free treatment and no negligence.
Opposition Congress demands an FIR, judicial probe, Rs 1 crore per deceased family, and Rs 50 lakh for injured, alleging management lapses and government cover-up (per Sushil Anand Shukla).
The 1,200 MW coal plant, stalled 2016-2022 after Vedanta’s 2022 acquisition, saw one 600 MW unit commissioned last August; the second is ongoing.
