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100-MW transformer at Rajghat Power Plant catches fire, quick action prevents casualties
A major fire broke out at a transformer unit on Sunday, prompting authorities to shut down a key power generation plant that supplies electricity to many parts of Central Delhi.
However, nobody was injured , officials said.
The incident occurred around noon at the the Rajghat Power Plant near ITO when a 100-MW transformer, maintained by the Indraprastha Power Generation Company (IPGCL), caught fire. As many as 30 fire tenders rushed to the spot and doused the flames in about 40 minutes, they said.
Though the cause of the fire is still uncertain, Delhi Power Minister Haroon Yusuf said it could have occurred due to low maintenance. “I have told them to file an internal investigation report within 24 hours. It may be a case of low maintenance as we have already decided to close down the plant,” Yusuf said.
R S Rathi, managing director of IPGCL, said he has already ordered an internal inquiry into the incident.
According to a Delhi Transco spokesperson, power supply in the city was not affected despite the plant being out of operation. “We have shifted the load to Kashmiri Gate and Indraprastha stations, so there was no load-shedding. Also, today being a Sunday, demand was not so high,” he pointed out.
The incident, however, caused great worry to people around the area.
Sher Singh (41), who has been running a tea shop near the power station for the past 20 years, said he heard a loud blast at about 12 pm.
“The sound was so loud that we thought it was a terrorist attack. Flames must have been at least 50 feet high. Dark clouds of smoke covered the entire area,” Singh said.
He said a second blast occurred almost 30 minutes later, followed by a third explosion. At least
30 fire tenders were rushed to
the spot.
Ram Nivas (48), who works as a guard in the CNG store opposite the power house, said he had never seen so many firemen and police vehicles in the area before, despite it being close to Rajghat.
“There have been a number of times when several security forces are posted near Rajghat, since it is such an important place. But we never saw so many policemen around in this area. I was sipping tea in the morning when this crashing sound was heard. Within ten minutes, the fire tenders had gathered around and were trying to control the flames,” he recalled.
A major fire broke out at a transformer unit on Sunday, prompting authorities to shut down a key power generation plant that supplies electricity to many parts of Central Delhi.
However, nobody was injured , officials said.
The incident occurred around noon at the the Rajghat Power Plant near ITO when a 100-MW transformer, maintained by the Indraprastha Power Generation Company (IPGCL), caught fire. As many as 30 fire tenders rushed to the spot and doused the flames in about 40 minutes, they said.
Though the cause of the fire is still uncertain, Delhi Power Minister Haroon Yusuf said it could have occurred due to low maintenance. “I have told them to file an internal investigation report within 24 hours. It may be a case of low maintenance as we have already decided to close down the plant,” Yusuf said.
R S Rathi, managing director of IPGCL, said he has already ordered an internal inquiry into the incident.
According to a Delhi Transco spokesperson, power supply in the city was not affected despite the plant being out of operation. “We have shifted the load to Kashmiri Gate and Indraprastha stations, so there was no load-shedding. Also, today being a Sunday, demand was not so high,” he pointed out.
The incident, however, caused great worry to people around the area.
Sher Singh (41), who has been running a tea shop near the power station for the past 20 years, said he heard a loud blast at about 12 pm.
“The sound was so loud that we thought it was a terrorist attack. Flames must have been at least 50 feet high. Dark clouds of smoke covered the entire area,” Singh said.
He said a second blast occurred almost 30 minutes later, followed by a third explosion. At least
30 fire tenders were rushed to
the spot.
Ram Nivas (48), who works as a guard in the CNG store opposite the power house, said he had never seen so many firemen and police vehicles in the area before, despite it being close to Rajghat.
“There have been a number of times when several security forces are posted near Rajghat, since it is such an important place. But we never saw so many policemen around in this area. I was sipping tea in the morning when this crashing sound was heard. Within ten minutes, the fire tenders had gathered around and were trying to control the flames,” he recalled.
