Nine Assam workers killed in accident at Tamil Nadu power plant site, PM Modi announces compensation

The accident occurred within the premises of a Special Economic Zone (SEZ), where construction work was in progress.

According to officials, a grid structure fell from a height of approximately 45 feet while workers were operating near a crane.

“It’s a coal handling shed, and work was on to build a cover. The grid fell on them from 45 feet high,” said Dr. J Radhakrishnan, Chairman and Managing Director of TANGEDCO, confirming the tragedy to NDTV.

He added that the workers were equipped with safety gear and that the injured worker, admitted to Stanley Medical College Hospital in Chennai, is stable.

Officials from Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL), the company executing the project, were present at the site. A probe has been launched to determine the cause of the collapse.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced ex gratia compensation of ₹2 lakh each for the families of the deceased workers and ₹50,000 for the injured.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin expressed deep sorrow over the incident. In a statement, he said: “I was deeply pained to hear the news of nine workers from Assam losing their lives in the accident at the Ennore power plant construction site being executed by BHEL. I extend my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families.”

Stalin also announced a compensation of ₹10 lakh for each victim’s family and directed that the bodies be transported to Assam. Power Minister V. Senthil Balaji and senior TANGEDCO officials have been asked to oversee the relief and recovery operations.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma also expressed condolences. “Nine migrant workers from Assam have reportedly succumbed to death after falling at a construction site at Minjur, Thiruvallur district, today while carrying out construction works for extension of North Chennai Thermal Power Station,” he said in a statement.

Sarma confirmed that four of the victims were from Karbi Anglong district and five from Hojai district.

He said his government is coordinating with Tamil Nadu authorities to ensure the bodies are brought back to Assam at the earliest.