VISAKHAPATNAM: Union Minister for Steel and Heavy Industries HD Kumara Swamy announced the formation of a three-member committee to investigate the tragic accident at the Vizag Steel Plant, where eight people were charred to death and six others sustained burn injuries. The committee, comprising experts and senior officials from various steel plants across the country, is expected to visit the plant on Tuesday and Wednesday. They will inspect the accident site at the Steel Melting Shop (SMS) One and interact with workers, union leaders, and plant management before submitting a report to the government.
Details of the Accident
The incident occurred on Monday evening when a ladle carrying liquid hot metal at 1600 degrees Celsius fell to the ground after a massive explosion in SMS-2. The molten metal spread rapidly, causing a fire that resulted in the deaths of eight workers, including three contract employees. The explosion and subsequent fire engulfed the SMS unit, leading to a devastating loss of life.
Compensation and Support for Victims
Kumara Swamy announced an ex-gratia of Rs 25 lakh to the families of each deceased worker, including the three contract employees. Severely injured persons will receive Rs 10 lakh, and the steel plant will bear the cost of their treatment. Additionally, one permanent job will be provided to a family member of each deceased. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had already announced Rs 2 lakh for the deceased families and Rs 50,000 for each injured from the PM's Relief Fund. Permanent employees' families will receive approximately Rs 1.5 crore in compensation, while outsourcing employees' families will get Rs 36 lakh, including all insurance and other benefits. The families of the deceased have been allowed to retain their quarters in the Steel Plant Township until the notional date of superannuation of the deceased. Those residing outside the township have also been offered quarters as per their entitlement if they wish. The education of the children of the deceased will continue on par with VSP employees.
Ministerial Visit and Statements
Steel Minister Kumara Swamy, along with Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu, State Home Minister Vangalapudi Anita, and Visakhapatnam MP M Sribharat, visited the accident site in the early hours of Tuesday. They also met with the injured at the steel plant hospital. Speaking to the media, Kumara Swamy described the incident as tragic and noted that accidents can occur in steel plants. He urged workers and union leaders to unite during this difficult time and maintain the spirit for the plant's development. "The government is committed to the revival of VSP and requests everyone to cooperate. One should not panic due to this incident. The committee will submit its report and recommendations, and we will follow them to avoid such accidents in the future," he said.
Later, Union Minister of State for Steel and Heavy Industries Bhupatiraju Srinivasa Varma also visited the accident site. Workers alleged that the ministers visited the plant at midnight to avoid resentment from workers and the families of the deceased.
