NTPC explosion Highlights: Rahul demands judicial probe, Unchahar plant unit shut down

Prime Minister Narendra Modi approves ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each for the next of kin of those who died in the blast.

The toll in the massive explosion in a boiler at the state-run power giant NTPC’s Unchahar plant in Rae Bareli has risen to 29, a senior official said on Thursday.

Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi at the NTPC blast site in Rae Bareli on Thursday.(Deepak Gupta/HT Photo)

Rae Bareli district magistrate Sanjay Kumar Khatri told IANS the number of injured in the Wednesday’s National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) plant blast was 64.

Two patients, with 70% burn injuries, were shifted to New Delhi in an air ambulance in the morning. In all 47 patients are admitted to different hospitals in the state capital.

Chief minister Yogi Adityanath, who is on a three-day visit to Mauritius, announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh for the families of the deceased, Rs 50,000 for the seriously injured and Rs 25,000 for those with minor injuries.

Here are the highlights of the day:

2.45pm: NTPC says it has shut down a 500 MW unit at its Feroze Gandhi Unchahar Thermal Power Station in Rae Bareli.

2.32pm: Committee formed for detailed probe to find out cause of blast & decide precautionary measures for future: Union power minister.

2.30pm: Rahul Gandhi demands judicial probe into the incident. “Was very sad to see the pain of the victims of the incident. Their families should be better compensated...,” tweets Rahul.

1.33pm: Senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad, who is also with Rahul Gandhi at the blast site, said allegations by workers over safety standards should be probed.

1.18pm: Union power minister RK Singh announces Rs 20 lakh for family of workers killed in the blast, Rs 10 lakh for critically injured and Rs 5 lakh for labourers with minor injuries. This compensation will be paid by NTPC.

1pm: Rahul Gandhi arrives at NTPC’s Unchahar plant where a boiler exploded on Wednesday. Met Union power minister RK Singh as well.

11.45am: Police set up green corridor till airport to bring three persons injured in the blast to Delhi’s AIIMS via special aircraft.

11.25am: PM Narendra Modi approves ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each for the next of kin of those who died in the blast. He also approved Rs 50,000 each for the injured.

11.05am: Death toll rises to 26, says principal secretary (home) Arvind Kumar, reports ANI.

10.55am: Rahul Gandhi reaches Rae Bareli district hospital to meet the injured.

10.30am: Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi will visit the NTPC blast site in Rae Bareli in the afternoon. Security checks at NTPC hospital underway.

Security checks at NTPC hospital. (HT Photo)