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.