TFP Bureau, Bilaspur, August 6, 2025: A major industrial accident at the NTPC plant in Sipat village, Bilaspur district, claimed the lives of at least three contract workers and left more than a dozen others injured on Wednesday afternoon. The incident occurred during maintenance work in boiler unit number 5 when a heavy iron platform of the pre-air heater suddenly collapsed.
According to initial reports, the unit was undergoing routine maintenance around 12 noon when a technical fault caused the chain supporting the pre-air heater platform to snap. The falling iron structure trapped around 15 workers inside the unit. Emergency rescue teams rushed to the scene, and police from Sipat station began relief operations.
Five workers were critically injured, and three succumbed to their injuries during treatment, sources confirmed. The remaining injured were taken to nearby hospitals for medical attention. Most of the affected workers are believed to be residents of Podi village. However, NTPC management has officially confirmed only one fatality so far.
Following the incident, agitated family members of the deceased and injured workers gathered at the site, expressing anger over the alleged negligence. Protesters blocked the Sipat-Baloda road and raised slogans against the NTPC management, demanding clarity on the actual number of casualties and the cause of the accident.
In response to the growing unrest and public outrage, NTPC Sipat management issued a press release acknowledging the accident and announcing compensation. According to the statement, five contract workers employed by M/s Gorakhpur Construction Private Limited were injured in the incident. Three workers were treated and discharged from Sipat hospital, while another, Pratap Singh, is undergoing treatment at Apollo Hospital with full medical expenses covered by NTPC. One worker, Shyam Kumar, was declared dead at CIMS Hospital.
The NTPC release further stated that, in a meeting involving district administration and public representatives, it was decided that the families of the deceased would receive ₹5 lakh compensation each—jointly from NTPC and the contractor. In addition, the spouse of the deceased will be offered contractual employment in the unskilled or semi-skilled category. A sum of ₹50,000 has also been provided immediately to the bereaved families to cover last rites.
Public Relations Officer Praveen Ranjan Bharti extended the company’s condolences to the families, stating that NTPC Sipat is committed to providing all necessary assistance to the dependents of the deceased.
Meanwhile, tension continues in the area, with labor organizations and locals calling for a thorough investigation into the incident, raising serious concerns about safety standards and contractor accountability at one of the country’s largest power facilities.
