Boiler Explosion at Vedanta Power Plant in Chhattisgarh Kills 10, Injures 24

A devastating industrial accident occurred on April 14, 2026, at a Vedanta power plant located in the Sakti district of Chhattisgarh, resulting in the tragic death of at least 10 workers and leaving 24 others seriously injured.

The explosion, caused by a boiler blast, was so intense that it was heard from a considerable distance, sending a massive plume of smoke into the sky. Panic gripped the plant premises immediately after the incident, with workers screaming and running for safety.

According to District Collector Amrit Vikas Topno, the accident was triggered by the rupture of hot water pipes connected to the boiler. State Industry Minister Lakhan Lal Dewangan also confirmed that the blast occurred due to the bursting of these high-temperature pipes. At the time of the incident, workers were reportedly having their meal, and many suffered severe burn injuries after coming into contact with the scalding water. The explosion occurred in Boiler-1, killing 10 workers on the spot, while the injured were rushed to nearby hospitals, with several reported to be in critical condition.

Following the tragedy, family members of the victims and local residents accused the plant management and authorities of negligence and withholding crucial information. A large crowd gathered at the site, demanding transparency. Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos and horror, with victims severely burned. Videos circulating after the incident reportedly show the extent of the damage and the condition of the workers.

Senior district officials, including the Collector and Superintendent of Police, reached the site to assess the situation and initiated an investigation. Labour Minister Lakhanlal Dewangan stated that strict action would be taken under labor laws against those found responsible, emphasizing that negligence would not be tolerated.

It is noteworthy that Vedanta Limited had acquired Athena Chhattisgarh Power Limited in 2022 through the liquidation process under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) 2016. The plant was partially constructed at the time of acquisition. Later, in July 2023, the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), Hyderabad, approved its merger with Vedanta Limited. After the merger, the facility was renamed Vedanta Limited Chhattisgarh Thermal Power Plant (VLCTPP). Located in Singhitarai village of Sakti district, the power plant has a total production capacity of 1,200 megawatts, comprising two units of 600 megawatts each.