(Feature Image: One dead in NHPC’s Dibang multipurpose worksite. Source: The Arunachal Times, X post July 17, 2024)
Months after work on Dibang Multipurpose Project (DMP) started, a worker has died in fatal accident at the project site which reportedly occurred at 03:00 am on July 16, 2024. The deceased is identified as Primal Udao a native of Cooch Bihar district of West Bengal. There is no confirmed information from the NHPC on the exact cause of his death.
While, The Assam Tribune report (July 16) mentions the casualty was a result of tunnel collapse in which the worker was working, report in The Arunachal Times (July 18) reports that the death occurred at CcVT site “due to a loose fall”.
The report further reads “General Manager (GM), National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) confirmed that there was no caving of tunnel or landslide. “The victim was working at the site when a loose rock fell and hit him on his head. He succumbed to his injuries while being transported to the nearest hospital,” he informed.” A report in India Today NE (July 18) repeats the same.
However, both reports did not disclose the name and department of the GM. As per NHPC directory there are many GMs, including three for communication departments and one each for Human Resource (HR) and Environment, among others.
Both reports also write that the deceased was insured under the Workman Compensation Policy (which provides financial compensation to their employees in case of work-related injuries or mishaps) but the insurance amount was not revealed. Neither there was information on whether NHPC has announced any other monetary compensation to deceased family members.
We tried to contact all the GMs, Communication but in vain. After couple of attempts, we could manage to talk with R.T. Nathan, GM (HR) in early evening hours of July 19 and sought three specific information related to the incident.
First, what was the exact reason behind the death of the worker? Second, why has NHPC not made any official information or statement about the incident public through press release or social media platforms? Third, the amount of insurance money and any other compensation by the NHPC?
To these questions, R.T. Nathan, replied that he was not aware of the incident and get us a call back from site in-charge. But upto 03:00 pm July 20, (almost after 24 hours) we did not receive any call back from the site in-charge as stated by the GM (HR).
We have now shared the same queries with the GM (HR) through WhatsApp and will update this report if we get the replies.
Though NHPC has made two press releases since July 16 and it is also quite active on social media platforms including on X (formerly twitter) with updates on meetings, site visits and CSR activities but has made no statement or press release on the worker’s death at the DMP site.
In the absence of any official information from the project officials of NHPC, the reason behind the worker’s death is not confirmed. Similarly, the amount of financial compensation to the deceased family through insurance and compensation if any is unknown. Sadly, this is the fate of scores of workers building HEP and dam projects in the country.
Broadly, it is very concerning issue that the developers of hydroelectric power (HEP) and dam projects though claim that they work in public interest using public resources but never share any official information about disasters and accidents impacting the projects and workers at project sites with the public.
Similarly, the inquiry reports into major accidents and disasters routinely taking place at HEP, Dam sites are not put in public domain for independent scrutiny. Exclusion of independent experts in such inquiry panel is another serious issue raising questions on the transparency and accountability of HEP and Dam project developers.
About the project: The 2800 Mw DMP is being built near Munli village in Lower Dibang Valley district of Arunachal Pradesh by the NHPC. The project is being executed by the Dibang Power Consortium which is a joint venture of GR Infra Ltd. and Patel Engineering Ltd.
Though the construction work of the project started in Dec 2023, the latest foundation stone was laid by PM Narendar Modi in March 2024. Earlier in January 2008, the then PM Manmohan Singh had laid foundation stone for the same project.
The project involves construction of 278-meter-high Roller Compacted Concrete (RCC) dam which is stated to be highest RCC dam in the world. The project will cost more than Rs. 31,875 crores and is scheduled to be commissioned in February 2032.
Bhim Singh Rawat (bhim.sandrp@gmail.com)
References: –
https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=2013022
SANDRP 