Two weeks after Kopili hydel project disaster, rescuers recover two bodies | Latest News India - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Two weeks after Kopili hydel project disaster, rescuers recover two bodies

Hindustan Times, Guwahati | BySadiq Naqvi
Oct 22, 2019 12:01 AM IST

The 275 MW hydel plant is completely shut now and will start only after renovation and modernisation.

Two weeks after the disaster at the state-run North Eastern Electric Power Corporation’s (NEEPCO) Kopili hydel project in Assam’s Dima Hasao district, rescuers recovered two dead bodies from the power station on Monday, officials said.

A burst pipeline carrying water to a hydro-power plant of the North Eastern Electric Power Corporation (NEEPCO) in Assam's Dima Hasao district, flooding one of the main power stations and trapping four people on October 7.(PTI)
A burst pipeline carrying water to a hydro-power plant of the North Eastern Electric Power Corporation (NEEPCO) in Assam's Dima Hasao district, flooding one of the main power stations and trapping four people on October 7.(PTI)

On October 7, as the penstock (pipe) carrying water from the reservoir to the power station burst, flooding one of the main power stations of the 275 MW plant and trapping four workers including three NEEPCO employees.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

“Two bodies have been recovered today. They have been identified as that of our junior engineer (Robert John Ngamlai) and Joy Sing Tisso, another employee,” said Vinod Kumar Singh, Chairman and Managing Director, NEEPCO. Singh said bodies were recovered after removal of hundreds of tonnes of debris in the multi-storey power station whose three floors are underground. The bodies have been recovered from the lowest floor, Singh said.

Amitabh Rajkhowa, the Deputy Commissioner of Dima Hasao said the two bodies were recovered by the divers of the NDRF team which is involved in rescue operation.

Prempal Balmiki, a sanitation worker and Raju Reddy who worked for a private contractor are yet to be traced.

Albertson Tisso, the 23-year-old son of Joy Sing Tisso said NEEPCO should compensate all the victims and give job to the next of kin. Singh said the employees will be compensated as per NEEPCO’s policy.

Albertson also demanded a CBI probe into the incident.

Singh said investigation into the causes of the incident is on. “On the first day, prima facie it looked like an accident. Now we cannot be sure unless we have analysed everything. Right now we are keeping all options open,” Singh said.

Singh had earlier blamed acidic water in the reservoir as the one and only reason for the accident. Experts say rat hole coal mining in neighbouring Meghalaya which was rampant before it was banned, polluted streams and rivers including the Kopili.

The 275 MW hydel plant is completely shut now and will start only after renovation and modernisation, Singh had earlier said.

Unveiling Elections 2024: The Big Picture', a fresh segment in HT's talk show 'The Interview with Kumkum Chadha', where leaders across the political spectrum discuss the upcoming general elections. Watch now!

Get Current Updates on India News, Election 2024, Mukhtar Ansari Death News Live, Bihar Board 10th Result 2024 Live along with Latest News and Top Headlines from India and around the world.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Friday, March 29, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On