₹25 Lakh Ex-Gratia, Permanent Jobs for Families of Vizag Steel Plant Blast Victims

The Central and Andhra Pradesh governments have announced a series of relief and rehabilitation measures for the families affected by the devastating explosion at the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant , which claimed the lives of eight workers and left six others seriously injured . Union Steel Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy and Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan , who separately visited the accident site, assured victims' families of financial assistance, employment support, housing security, and educational benefits.

The tragic accident occurred on Monday evening in the plant's Steel Melt Shop-1 during a casting operation involving the transfer of molten steel. A massive explosion, reportedly linked to a ladle carrying molten steel, triggered a fire that spread through the facility, resulting in one of the deadliest industrial accidents in the plant's history. Senior officials of Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL) have launched an investigation into the incident.

Following an inspection of the accident site alongside Union Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu , Visakhapatnam MP M. Sribharat , and Andhra Pradesh Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha , Kumaraswamy announced a comprehensive compensation package. The family of each deceased worker will receive ₹25 lakh as ex-gratia assistance , while one eligible member from each family will be offered a permanent job . The minister clarified that these benefits would be provided in addition to statutory entitlements such as insurance, provident fund, gratuity, and other compensation.

The Centre also announced that children of the deceased workers would receive free education , while families would be allowed to continue residing in Steel Plant quarters until the employee's retirement age. Families currently living outside the township would also be eligible for housing support. Kumaraswamy said the entire medical expenses of the injured workers would be borne by RINL , with each seriously injured worker receiving ₹10 lakh in compensation.

Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan , who visited the site on Tuesday morning, described the incident as unprecedented in the plant's history. He stated that no such accident involving a molten steel ladle had occurred in the 36-year history of the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant.

Calling the tragedy deeply distressing, Pawan Kalyan assured affected families that the state government would stand firmly by them. He announced that the families of deceased permanent employees would receive a total compensation package of approximately ₹1.72 crore , while the families of contract workers would receive around ₹45.75 lakh , including various statutory benefits and welfare payments.

The Deputy Chief Minister also reiterated that children of the deceased workers would continue to receive educational facilities on par with those available to employees' families. In addition, affected families would be allowed to stay in Steel Plant quarters until the deceased employee's notional retirement age, while those living outside the township could opt for company housing.

Highlighting the unusual nature of the accident, Pawan Kalyan said such a large-scale ladle blast had never been recorded in the history of the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant and was extremely rare even in major steel manufacturing facilities abroad. He said workers who interacted with him during the visit alleged that outdated equipment had not been replaced and that safety standards were not being adequately enforced.

To determine the exact cause of the accident, the Centre has constituted a special inquiry committee comprising experts from leading steel plants , including specialists from Bokaro Steel Plant . The panel will investigate whether the explosion was caused by a technical malfunction or any other factor and examine why the blast reportedly occurred before the ladle bucket's slide gate was opened. Based on the committee's findings, further action will be taken.

Pawan Kalyan also announced plans to hold a round-table meeting with workers' union representatives to understand ground-level concerns regarding operational shortcomings and safety protocols within the plant. He said the meeting would help the government identify systemic issues and strengthen workplace safety measures.

Meanwhile, YSR Congress Party president and former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy has announced that he will visit Visakhapatnam to meet the families of the deceased workers and injured victims. Expressing profound shock over the tragedy, Jagan said he had been closely monitoring the situation through senior party leaders and directed party cadres to extend immediate assistance to affected families. During his visit, he is expected to interact with injured workers undergoing treatment and offer condolences and moral support to the bereaved families.

Reaffirming his government's commitment to the steel plant, the Deputy Chief Minister said the slogan "Visakha Ukku – Andhrula Hakku" remains a matter of principle and expressed hope that the facility would continue as a public sector enterprise. He recalled the long struggle associated with the plant's establishment and noted that people from both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana had sacrificed their lives for the cause.

After addressing the media, Pawan Kalyan visited Seven Hills Hospital in Visakhapatnam and met injured workers Paidiraju, Suribabu, and Srinivas , who are undergoing treatment. He enquired about their health condition and assured them that the government would bear all medical expenses while extending every possible support to their families.

As investigations continue, both the Centre and the Andhra Pradesh government have emphasized that worker safety, accountability, and the long-term future of the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant remain top priorities.