15 people electrocuted at Namami Gange project site
The tragedy occurred at the sewage plant located at the banks of Alaknanda River.
15 people were electrocuted and 7 were injured at a Namami Gange project sewage treatment plant on the Alaknanda river’s banks in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. Police proceeded to the scene to gather information on the electrocution of a person working on the project site, according to Superintendent of Police (Chamoli) Pramendra Dobhal.
A metal fence built on the plant grounds was damaged by an electrical surge that killed 15 people and injured another seven. He continued, “We’re still trying to figure out how it happened.” Dobhal reported that three members of the home guard, as well as police sub-inspector Pradeep Rawat, were among the 15 fatalities. A few of the victims passed away on the spot.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, who travelled to the scene to assess the situation and speak with the victims’ families, expressed sorrow. Each victim’s family will receive Rs. 5 lakhs in compensation, and each injured person will receive Rs. 1 lakh. He has also announced a magisterial inquiry. Dhami ordered the investigation and promised that those found guilty would face harsh punishment.
District Magistrate Himanshu Khurana appointed Additional District Magistrate Dr Abhishek Tripathi as the inquiry officer and gave him a week to provide a thorough investigation report by the chief minister’s directives. Khurana has additionally requested that Tripathi include in his inquiry the factors that contributed to the disaster and the steps that may have been done to avoid it in the future.
According to Chamoli’s Chief Development Officer Dr. Lalit Narayan Mishra, the injured were transported by helicopter to AIIMS-Rishikesh. Union Home Minister, Amit Shah, also called Dhami and asked him about the event. Police Director General Ashok Kumar prayed for the dead to rest in peace and for the grieving relatives to have courage.
