THEBUSINESSBYTES
BUREAU
NEW
DELHI, APRIL 27, 2026
Vedanta
Chairman Anil Agarwal has indicated that operational responsibility for the Chhattisgarh
power plant, where a devastating boiler blast claimed 25 lives earlier this
month, rested with NTPC GE Power Services Ltd (NGSL), as the company announced
completion of compensation disbursal to all affected families.
The
April 14 explosion at Vedanta Power's Singhitarai plant in Chhattisgarh, caused
by the rupture of a high-pressure steam pipeline connecting the boiler to the
turbine, left 25 workers dead and several others seriously injured. The tragedy
triggered a police FIR against Agarwal and other company officials.
Addressing
the incident in a post on X, Agarwal underlined that the plant's operations and
maintenance had been entirely outsourced to NGSL, a joint venture between NTPC
and General Electric.
“I
feel sad and surprised to think that we took utmost care in our Athena plant,
we handed over the entire responsibility of this plant to NGSL, the partnership
of NTPC-GE, India's most trusted Maharatna company. The contractors and
employees were also theirs. The expertise was also theirs. And with this trust,
we outsourced the maintenance and operations of this plant. Yet, this
unfortunate accident happened,” he wrote.
Reiterating
his position, Agarwal said, “What weighs heavily on my mind is this: at our
Athena plant, we had put in place the highest standards of safety. The entire
responsibility was entrusted to NGSL, a partnership between NTPC and GE, among
the most respected and trusted institutions in India. The contractors, the
teams, the technical expertise, were all theirs. It was on the strength of this
trust that we had confidently outsourced the plant’s operations and
maintenance. And yet, this unfortunate tragedy occurred.”
“It is a lot like a vehicle owner placing his
trust in a capable and responsible driver, believing that both the vehicle and
its passengers will remain safe. And still, sometimes, fate intervenes,” he
added.
“At
Vedanta, safety is always our highest priority in every contract. The same
commitment has been the cornerstone for NTPC and GE as well. And when such a
tragedy happens despite all of this, it truly breaks your heart,” Agarwal said.
NTPC
has not yet commented on Agarwal's remarks.
The
Vedanta chairman also expressed personal anguish over the loss, saying, “I've
heard that time often tests us, and I've been experiencing this for the past
few months. At the beginning of the year, I lost my young son. Then, this
month, on April 14th, the unfortunate accident at the Singhitarai power plant
took away 25 precious companions from me. I know the pain of such untimely
deaths all too well.”
Vedanta
Power said it has provided financial assistance of ₹35 lakh each to the families of the deceased
and ₹15 lakh to each injured
worker. “The compensation has already been released to all 35 affected
individuals and families,” the company said.
The
company further stated, “The incident occurred last week at Unit-1 of the
company’s plant in Singhitarai, where the release of pressurised hot water and
steam impacted 35 workers present at the site. The unit was being operated and
maintained by NTPC GE Power Services Ltd. (NGSL), a joint venture of NTPC and
GE.”
Beyond
immediate compensation, Vedanta is exploring employment opportunities for
family members of the deceased and has committed to funding the education of
their children up to Class 12.
A
central crisis management team has been set up to oversee relief operations,
while the company is continuing medical treatment, salary support for injured
workers, counselling, accommodation, and other logistical assistance for
affected families. Vedanta has also launched a 24x7 helpline, 'Vedanta Samvedna
Kendra', to provide support and regular updates.
The
company said it is fully cooperating with regulatory and investigative
authorities as the probe into one of the deadliest industrial accidents in
recent years gathers pace.
