AMN
Three engineers including two of Himachal State Electricity Board (HPSEB) died on the spot in a massive blast in safety valve of Rong-Tong power project under Kaza sub division of tribal Lahaul Spiti district. The shocking incident took place last evening at about 8.30 pm when all of them were busy in repairing the out of order project. According to reports after blast the project was flooded with water. The two deceased Assistant Engineer Vijay and Sanjay were working with the Electricity Board and were sent recently from Bhaba Nagar to repair the turbine of Rong Tong project. The third deceased engineer Dinesh was working with a NOIDA based private company and was helping them in the repairing work.
The two megawatt Rong Tong power project situated in Rangreek area near Kaza is run by HP State Electricity Board and it remained centre of controversy for various reasons since 1984 when generation was started here. Despite spending crores of rupees on maintenance work it never fulfill the power supply demands of the Spiti area and was out of order since past six months. The state Chief Minister is scheduled to visit the Spiti next week therefore the Board was trying to repair it on war footing. Initial report says that the blast occurred due to some technical reasons and the board has ordered a probe into the incident.