Lok Sabha Question No. 3942 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-19
Subject: Investigation of NTPC Boiler Explosion Case
Ministry: POWER
Asked by: Shri Aditya Yadav, Shri  Chhotelal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF POWER

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3942 ANSWERED ON 19.12.2024

## INVESTIGATION OF NTPC BOILER EXPLOSION CASE

†3942. SHRI CHHOTELAL: SHRI ADITYA YADAV:

Will the Minister of POWER be pleased to state:

- (a) the  number  of  persons  found  guilty  in  the  investigation  of  NTPC  boiler explosion case occurred in Unchahar of Raebareli on 01 November, 2017 along with the action taken against the guilty persons;
- (b) the number of investigations conducted in Unchahar boiler explosion case;
- (c) the  details  of  the  findings  of  the  investigations  and  the  action  taken thereon;
- (d) whether it is a fact that a person who was found guilty in the said case was  terminated  from  service  of  NTPC  but  was  provided  a  job  in  NTPCs  joint venture  company  EESL  after  two  months  of  his/her  termination  and  retired comfortably and if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) whether the Government proposes to investigate the said incidence and take  action  against  the  guilty  persons  in  this  regard,  if  so,  the  details  thereof along  with  the  action  likely  to  be  taken  in  the  matter  and  if  not,  the  reasons therefor?

## A N S W E R

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF POWER (SHRI SHRIPAD NAIK)

- (a) to (e) : In exercise of powers conferred under section 161(2) of the Electricity Act, 2003, a committee was constituted by Ministry of Power, Govt. of India on 06.11.2017  under  the  Chairmanship  of  Member  (Thermal),  CEA to fix up responsibility  for  boiler  explosion  occurred  in  Feroze  Gandhi  Thermal  Power Plant (TPP) of NTPC Ltd. at Unchahar, Raebareli-district of Uttar Pradesh on 01 November, 2017. A memorandum  of charge-sheet under NTPC Conduct, Discipline & Appeal (CDA) rules was issued to the then General Manager(Operation & Maintenance), NTPC TPP at Unchahar responsible for said incidence and further, based on internal inquiry, the employee was imposed with the penalty of Compulsory Retirement from the Services of the Company (NTPC Ltd.) which does not disqualify for future employment under the Government  or corporation  / company owned or controlled by the Government.

EESL  (Energy  Efficiency  Services  Limited)  had  taken  his  services  as  a consultant for limited period.

To  investigate  the  causes  of  the  accidents,  six  (06)  nos.  of  enquiry committees  were  constituted.  Reports  submitted  by  these  committees  which inter-alia  mentioned  high  ash  build  up  and  consequent  tube  failure  due  to dislodging of this build up ash in the boiler as one of the causes of accident in the  boiler.  The  key  recommendations/findings  of  these  Committees  along  with the actions taken thereon are given as under:

## Recommendations of the Committees:

1. Accumulation  of  ash  should  be  controlled,  and  continuous  ash  removal should be ensured without blocking the furnace bottom opening and ash hopper.
2. All Technical considerations of plant operating conditions should be part of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
3. The plant Engineers and operation general team should have adequate and relevant experience as per the duties.
4. Opening of manhole doors/scaffold doors during operation is not resorted and water injection for dislodging should be avoided.
5. Whenever  people  attend  to  any  problem  during  boiler  operation,  there should be a clear checklist for safe practice.
6. The protocol of work permit for carrying out any activity in the unit should be strictly adhered to.

## Action Taken by NTPC Ltd.:

-  Operation guidance note was reviewed with additional points of safety and guidelines in consultation with OEM.
-  NTPC  executive  trainees  undergo  12  months  training  at  entry  level covering all aspects of the power plant. Further, regular trainings are being conducted across all stations in respect of assigned duties.
-  Training  program  for  contractors'  employees  are  being  conducted  at  all sites on regular basis covering all relevant topics on occupational health and safety.
-  Safety behavior index has been introduced in the Performance Management System (PMS).
-  Cross functional safety task force for operating plants and under construction projects are functional at all projects/stations to monitor and ensure safe working conditions.
-  For  early  detection  of  Ash  build  up,  Cameras  have  been  installed  for monitoring by Desk Operator.
-  Internal and external safety audits are undertaken by NTPC safety officers and external (third party) safety auditors at regular intervals.
-  Job Safety analysis has been made a part of permit to work system, and stations are strictly following it.
-  For  early  detection  and  mitigation  of  the  on-site  emergencies,  effective control systems are provided at all operating stations.
-  Regular Mock drills are conducted to check the health of the systems, and any abnormalities are immediately rectified.
-  Awareness  program  on  disaster  management  plan  are  also  conducted regularly.
-  To inculcate safety culture, various messages/instructions are displayed in the  form  of  posters/hoardings  at  various  vulnerable  locations  of  working sites. Different competitions and campaigns on safety are also organized time to time to enhance the safety awareness of employees, contractors' workers and nearby villagers.
-  Regular  Medical examinations  are conducted  to  monitor the health condition of workers at work place. Safety trainings and pep-talks are also organized for workers at sites to make them aware about the hazards at workplace.
-  Disaster  management  plan  and  emergency  action  plans  are  prepared  in consultation  with  district  &  state  authorities  and  nearby  industries  to tackle any emergency situation.
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