Short circuit, faulty earthing led to deaths at Chamoli STP: report

According to the report by ADM Abhishek Tripathi, the electrical arrangement of the STP was not in accordance with the agreement made and the standards of electrical safety. Due to non-availability of proper earthing in the prescribed route, the current spread in the metallic structure connected to the earth connection, including the stairs, railings, etc constructed for entering the plant, the report said.

Earthing at STP premises was also found to be more than the norms. In such a situation, due to a short circuit, instead of earthing, the current flowed to the iron structure and iron railings of the STP, said the report.

It found that joint venture firms — Jai Bhushan Malik Contractors, Patiala and Confident Engineering India Private Limited, Coimbatore — responsible for the electrification system at the STP, violated terms of their contract and safety norms and recommended cancelling their contract in Uttarakhand. It also recommended blacklisting Axis Power Controls, Delhi, in Uttarakhand. The report has recommended blacklisting the three firms through the competent level in the whole of India.