Sunday, 23 JULY 2023 | PNS | DEHRADUN
The police arrested three officials in the case of the 16 persons who died from electrocution at a Namami Gange sewage treatment plant in Chamoli on July 19. According to the police, after detailed questioning regarding serious negligence in operation of electrical equipment, supervisor of the joint venture company operating the STP, Pawan Chamola, electricity department lineman Mahendra Singh Jaipal and Jal Sansthan assistant engineer in-charge Hardev Lal Arya were arrested by the Chamoli police after detailed questioning on Friday.
Following talks with departmental officials and inspection of the site of the mishap, it was ascertained by the police that supervisor appointed by the joint venture company GBM and Confident Engineering India Private Limited, Pawan Chamola, Jal Sansthan assistant engineer in-charge Hardev Lal Arya who was looking after the plant’s operation along with owners and officials of the joint venture company had observed serious carelessness in the operation of dangerous electrical equipment. In violation of safety standards, the change-over was kept on top of the box. The STP was being run in a tin shed and iron structure in such a manner that the leakage of electricity had lead to deaths of 16 persons on July 19. The police stated that serious gaps were also found in the contract for operation of the STP plant. Following interrogation on Friday, the three accused were arrested by the police. The police are investigating and collecting evidence related to the owners and project manager of the joint venture along with others responsible for the mishap.
