A yet to be inaugurated waste plant in Bidadi, situated at a distance of 32 km away from Bengaluru, blasted as a result of an internal explosion at the workplace. The blast, which occurred in the early hours of last Saturday, took the life of a contract labourer and injured five other workers who suffered serious burn injuries. The workers were engaged in repairing a malfunctioning energy-generating machine.
The toll from the January 4 blast at Karnataka’s Bidadi town rose to 4 with two more workers succumbing to injuries recently.
The Boiler Blast
According to the police officials, the blast occurred at 4:30 AM in the morning after the sudden release of hot ash from the plant. Karnataka Power Corporation Limited (KPCL) and Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) together envisioned the waste power plant, which has been operational on a trial basis. Currently, the plant is being operated by ISGEC Heavy Engineering Ltd, a noida based company which was responsible for the construction, and Hitachi Zosen India, which took care of the technical support.
“The plant receives segregated dry waste from Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) for power generation. Over time, metallic debris like pins entered the unit, clogging the ash outlet. While attempting to clean the blockage, a blast of ash injured the workers. We were unprepared for such issues,” said a senior official of the Karnataka Power Corporation Limited (KPCL).
The plant uses a boiler system to incinerate dry waste which produces ash, as one of the by-products. As per contract with Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), only segregated and good quality dry waste should be sent to the unit to generate power.
The operations for the trail phase started and over time, pins and other metal pieces started entering the unit and clogging the outlet.
When the power generation unit started to face technical issues, the workers decided to check. As soon as the unit was let open, there was a blast of ash.
The police have identified the deceased as Umesh, a 29-year-old boiler assistant. He was declared dead on 7th January while under treatment at the nearest medical facility, Victoria Hospital. Others who got injured that day were Amlesh, 31, Umesh, 29, Santun, 31, Tarun, 29 and Lakhan, 28, who were also rushed to the burn ward of the hospital.
The news of Amalesh Chaudhary, 31, Lakhan Pawar, 28, and Tarun Kumar, 24, also succumbing to burn injuries while undergoing treatment came out on Wednesday night and Thursday. Now, the toll has reached four.
Ongoing Investigation
“The explosion took place as the workers tried to clear the clogged waste from the boiler, which malfunctioned, leading to hot ash and burning debris gushing out of it,” said the Deputy SP Dinakar Shetty.
The police have registered a negligence case under Section 106 of the BNS (causing death by negligence) against the plant manager.
The waste plant was soon to be handed over to the energy department of Karnataka government.
Energy Minister K J George visited the blast site on Tuesday and ordered a technical investigation. “Preliminary findings suggest the ash pipe was blocked, and the workers opened it without proper safety measures,” said George.
The minister has promised compensation to the families of the deceased and for the treatment of the injured.
