Exit routes for Chinese firm, balco staff sealed

The Chhattisgarh government has sealed off the state’s exit points to prevent officials of Balco and SEPCO, the Chinese company, which was building the chimney that collapsed in Korba, from leaving the state.

The Chhattisgarh government has sealed off the state’s exit points to prevent officials of Balco and SEPCO, the Chinese company, which was building the chimney that collapsed in Korba, from leaving the state.

HT Image

After the 240-metre-high chimney caved in on Wednesday at the 1,200-MW power project of the Vedanta Group’s Balco in Korba, 220 km northeast of state capital Raipur, the district administration found that none of the Balco management staff were available.

What’s more, the Chinese company downed its shutters in the city just after the mishap, fearing public ire as the death toll kept rising. So far, about 50 bodies have been found from the debris of the chimney.

There were about 80 employees of SEPCO Electric Power Construction Corporation in the Balco power project. Earlier, bagging the contract from Balco, SEPCO assigned Delhi-based Gannon Dunkerley Company to build the chimney.

Korba SP Ratanlal Dangi told HT: “All the districts in the state have been asked to prevent Balco officials from leaving the state. Even at Raipur airport, we are checking passengers.”