Bhilai Steel Plant blast: COO removed, two officials suspended

The general manager (safety) and the deputy general manager (DGM) of the Energy Department at the Bhilai Steel Plant were suspended, while the chief operating officer (COO) was removed from service on Wednesday after a powerful pipeline blast claimed 11 lives and injured 14 others at the state-run steel plant in Chhattisgarh on Tuesday.

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“GM Safety T Pandiaraja, DGM of Energy Department Naveen Kumar suspended, while COO has been removed. The new appointment will be done today itself,” Union Minister Birender Singh said on Wednesday.

GM Safety T Pandiaraja, DGM of Energy Department Naveen Kumar suspended, while COO has been removed. New appointment will be done today itself: Union Minister Birender Singh after pipeline blast in Bhilai Steel Plant yesterday. #Chhattisgarh pic.twitter.com/2aXeVCPsOX

— ANI (@ANI) October 10, 2018

The explosion took place around 10:30 am in a gas pipeline connected to the coke oven section, around 30 km away from the state capital Raipur, Inspector General of Police (Durg Range) GP Singh had told PTI.

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The steel plant, situated at Bhilai in Durg district is operated by state-run Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL).

“SAIL collective stands by the families of the affected and will ensure that and no stone is left unturned in providing all kinds of support,” the statement said.