Explosion at Vedanta power plant in Chhattisgarh's Sakti district kills workers; PM announces ex-gratia
An explosion in a boiler steam tube at Vedanta's power plant at Singhitarai in Sakti district, Chhattisgarh, on the afternoon of 14 April 2026 killed several workers, with the toll reaching 21 by 17 April; the Prime Minister announced ₹2 lakh from PMNRF for each deceased worker's family.
Summary
An explosion at Vedanta's power plant at Singhitarai village in Sakti district, Chhattisgarh, around 2 pm on 14 April 2026 killed and injured several workers. The Hindu reported that the tube connecting the boiler to the turbine exploded and that the toll was 20 by 15 April; The Hindu and The Economic Times put it at 21 by 17 April, after another worker died in hospital in Raipur. The Prime Minister announced an ex-gratia of ₹2 lakh from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the next of kin of each deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured. Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai announced ₹5 lakh for the families of the deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured. Police said a preliminary technical report found that excessive fuel accumulation in the boiler furnace caused the pressure build-up.
Key facts
- Date / time
- 14 April 2026, around 2 pm
- Place
- Vedanta power plant, Singhitarai, Sakti district, Chhattisgarh
- Toll
- 21 by 17 April (The Hindu, Economic Times)
- PM ex-gratia (PMNRF)
- ₹2 lakh per deceased; ₹50,000 per injured
- State assistance
- ₹5 lakh per deceased; ₹50,000 per injured (CM Vishnu Deo Sai)
- Preliminary cause
- Excess fuel accumulation and pressure in boiler furnace (police, citing technical report)
Practice MCQs 2 questions
What ex-gratia did the Prime Minister announce from the PMNRF for the next of kin of each worker killed in the Sakti power plant explosion of 14 April 2026?
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Correct answer: A — ₹2 lakh
The PM announced ₹2 lakh from the PMNRF per deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured; ₹5 lakh was the Chhattisgarh government's assistance.
Consider the following statements about the power plant explosion in Chhattisgarh on 14 April 2026: 1. The explosion occurred at Vedanta's power plant at Singhitarai in Sakti district. 2. The Chhattisgarh Chief Minister announced ₹5 lakh for the families of each deceased worker. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both statements are correct as reported by The Hindu.