11 KV line accident leaves lineman with severe burns and multiple fractures; colleagues allege negligence

A lineman suffered serious injuries early Tuesday morning after a high-tension power line was suddenly restored while he was working on it at the Chorhata Distribution Centre in Rewa district. The worker, identified as Kamlesh, was electrocuted, his clothes caught fire, and he fell from the 11 KV pole, fracturing both arms and legs.

The incident occurred around 8:30 am when Kamlesh had climbed the pole to carry out repair work on a transformer. According to initial information, he had followed procedure and ensured the line was de-energised before beginning his work. At some point, someone restored the power supply without checking whether workers were still on the pole.

Sudden Restoration of Power

The moment current flowed through the line, Kamlesh received a severe electric shock. Co-workers present at the site said the impact was so intense that his clothing immediately caught fire. Disoriented and in agony, he lost his grip and fell straight down from the height.

The fall, combined with the electrical burns, left him in critical condition. Workers on the ground rushed towards him while others ran to cut off the supply again. Local residents gathered quickly, and an ambulance was called to the spot.

Multiple Injuries Reported

Kamlesh was taken to a nearby hospital where doctors are currently treating him for severe burns across his body. Medical staff confirmed multiple fractures in both hands and legs due to the impact of the fall. His condition is stated to be serious, and he remains under close observation.

Hospital sources said the next 48 hours would be crucial in determining the extent of recovery, particularly regarding the burn injuries and potential nerve damage from the electric shock.

Colleagues Allege Departmental Negligence

Fellow workers have accused the electricity department of gross negligence. They claim Kamlesh had properly obtained permission and ensured the line was switched off before climbing the pole. Someone, they allege, restarted the supply without following basic safety checks.

According to workers at the Chorhata centre, such lapses are not new. They pointed out that communication between substation staff and field workers is often poor, with no clear protocol to prevent exactly this kind of accident. Officials have been informed of the incident, and the injured worker's family has reached the hospital.

Calls for Investigation

Senior electricity department officials have been notified about the accident. A sense of anger and unease has spread among local staff, who are demanding an impartial departmental inquiry. They want those responsible for the negligence identified and strict action taken against them.

So far, no formal statement has been issued by the Rewa district electricity office regarding the sequence of events. Sources said a preliminary fact-finding exercise has been initiated, though no timeline for a full investigation has been provided.

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has sought a detailed report from the Chhattisgarh government over the Vedanta plant blast in Sakti district that has claimed 25 lives so far. The commission took suo motu cognisance of the April 14 industrial accident and asked the state to fix accountability, ensure justice for victims and submit a full report within two weeks.

The blast at the Vedanta Power Plant in Sakti district left 36 workers severely burnt. Officials said three injured workers remain in critical condition, while five others are under observation. Two workers have been discharged after treatment.

Death Toll Rises

The death toll in the Vedanta plant blast has continued to rise over the past 10 days, making it one of the deadliest industrial accidents reported in Chhattisgarh in recent years. According to officials, the explosion took place inside the boiler unit of the thermal power plant on April 14 afternoon.

The NHRC issued notices to the Chhattisgarh Chief Secretary and Director General of Police, directing them to submit a detailed factual and action-taken report. The commission said the matter involved serious concerns of human rights, workplace safety and administrative accountability.

Probe Flags Lapses

A preliminary inquiry by the industrial safety department found serious negligence in plant operations and maintenance. Boiler Inspector Ujjwal Gupta and his team inspected the site on April 15 and submitted an initial report to Sakti Superintendent of Police Praful Thakur.

Officials said the inquiry found excessive fuel accumulation inside the boiler furnace, which caused a sudden spike in pressure. The pressure reportedly displaced the lower boiler pipe and triggered the explosion. A forensic science laboratory report has also pointed to the same cause, according to officials.

Load Surge Suspected

Investigators said furnace pressure rose sharply within one to two seconds at around 2.33 pm on April 14, leaving no time for shutdown or emergency intervention. The blast occurred in a 2028 TPH water tube boiler, where pressure built rapidly and led to an internal explosion before spreading to external pipelines.

Officials said the boiler load was raised from nearly 350 MW to around 590 MW within a short period, allegedly to increase output. Investigators are examining whether the rapid load escalation, repeated faults in the PA fan, unburnt fuel accumulation and failure of the backup system contributed to the accident.

Officials Under Lens

The role of key operational and maintenance officials is now under scrutiny. Sources indicated that NGSL, which was handling operations and maintenance at the Singhitrai project, is central to the probe.

Rajesh Saxena, identified as project head and site in-charge, is among those whose role is being examined. Officials are also reviewing the conduct of maintenance teams responsible for boiler systems, turbines and auxiliary equipment. Authorities are investigating whether safety checks were ignored and whether standard operating procedures were followed.

Compensation Announced

Vedanta management has announced Rs 35 lakh compensation for the families of each deceased worker and a job for one eligible family member. Injured workers will receive Rs 15 lakh each.

Separate compensation has also been announced by the Centre and the state government. Under PMNRF, families of the deceased will receive Rs 2 lakh each, while the injured will get Rs 50,000. The Chhattisgarh government has announced Rs 5 lakh for the families of the dead and Rs 50,000 for the injured.

What Happens Next

A magisterial inquiry ordered by the district administration is underway and has been asked to submit its report within 30 days. The inquiry will examine how the accident took place, who was responsible, whether technical or human failure caused the blast and whether regulatory inspections had flagged earlier safety lapses.

Bhilai chemical leak: Pipeline burst triggers massive smog

A pipeline burst at KSS Hydrocarbons in Hathkhoj caused pitch oil to leak, leading to respiratory issues for locals and industrial workers.

  A major industrial mishap was reported in the Hathkhoj Industrial Area of Bhilai on Tuesday evening after a pipeline burst at KSS Hydrocarbons, located within the Engineering Park. The incident, which occurred during the loading of pitch oil, resulted in a massive cloud of chemical smoke engulfing the vicinity for over four hours.

The spill of the hot chemical, upon coming into contact with the air, instantly vaporized into dense white fumes. While no immediate fatalities were reported, the Bhilai chemical leak caused significant panic as workers in neighboring units and residents in nearby areas complained of severe coughing, nausea, and breathing difficulties.

Chemical spill triggers panic

The accident took place between 4:30 PM and 5:00 PM when a transfer line snapped during the loading process. According to sources indicated on the ground, the hot pitch oil spread across the factory floor rapidly.

While the factory staff attempted to contain the liquid by creating sand barriers, they failed to control the toxic fumes. The smog quickly drifted into adjacent industrial units, forcing several factories to shut down their operations prematurely.

Safety protocols allegedly ignored

Witnesses and neighboring factory owners alleged a total lapse in safety protocols by the management of KSS Hydrocarbons. Despite the scale of the leak, the factory’s emergency siren remained silent.

"If they had sounded the alarm, we could have evacuated our staff earlier," said Santosh Kumar, a neighboring factory owner. He added that his night shift workers had to flee the premises after suffering from respiratory distress.

Delayed response by authorities

In a surprising turn of events, the company management reportedly failed to inform the fire department or local administration about the crisis. The Fire Brigade was eventually alerted by local residents and nearby business owners.

A rescue team reached the site only around 8:30 PM, nearly four hours after the initial burst. By this time, the thick smog had already spread across a significant portion of the Hathkhoj Industrial Area, affecting visibility on local roads.

Official statement on incident

District Fire Officer Nagendra Singh, who inspected the site, confirmed that the substance involved was pitch oil, typically used in ink manufacturing. The management claimed they did not call the fire department because there was no "active fire."

"The operators argued they were using their own safety measures and could not use water on the chemical," Singh stated. He further noted that a detailed investigation is underway to check for violations of the Factories Act.

Impact on local health

The health impact of the Bhilai chemical leak was felt beyond the factory walls. Workers reported a burning sensation in their eyes and throat, while some children in the peripheral residential zones reportedly suffered from vomiting.

Medical experts have warned that inhaling fumes from heated hydrocarbons can lead to acute bronchitis and long-term respiratory issues if exposure is prolonged. Local unions have demanded a safety audit of all chemical units in the Engineering Park.

Violations under industrial law

As per industrial safety norms, any chemical leak must be followed by an immediate shutdown of power lines and the sounding of a high-decibel siren. Preliminary reports suggest these mandatory steps were bypassed.

The local administration is currently recording statements from the affected parties. Officials have indicated that KSS Hydrocarbons could face heavy penalties if found guilty of negligence or suppressing information regarding an industrial hazard.

Future outlook and action

The Durg district administration is expected to issue a show-cause notice to the unit. This incident has once again highlighted the fragile safety ecosystem within the state's industrial hubs.

As part of the latest India News Update, residents have called for stricter monitoring of chemical handling in the Hathkhoj region. For now, the situation remains under watch as authorities ensure the spill is neutralized and the air quality in the industrial park returns to safe levels.