Panipat, January 18
Even after 24 years, the Tau Devi Lal Thermal Power Station, comprising six power generating units and a designated capacity of 860 MW ‘ is incapable of ensuring the safety of hundreds of people in and around the area due to lack of a proper fire safety protection system.
Although crores of rupees have been spent on the internal fire fighting project, it has remained non-functional. Official sources informed that the thermal station spent Rs 1.98 crore on the internal fire safety system for the fifth unit and Rs 2.31 crore for the sixth unit. But after completion of the projects, the system did not work. The thermal station has also spent about Rs 1 crore on the internal safety system in its first, third and fourth units. But these also are not operational.
In the absence of a proper fire safety system the thermal station also suffers loses of lakhs of rupees every year. The thermal station has been paying more than Rs 1 crore on the insurance of these units to the insurance company. Here again it is denied proper rebate of 7 to 10 per cent because of the inadequate safety system. At present the thermal station is getting a rebate of only 2.5 per cent, official sources informed.
According to the fire protection and safety act the thermal station can become operational only after ensuring the safety of people and the commercial projects. However, when The Tribune correspondent visited the thermal station on Wednesday no internal safety system was functioning in these units. The fire safety system required for the safety of the thermal station includes a fire alarm system, automatic smoke detector, hydrant system and Malsi fire system, etc, the sources added.
Moreover with the completion of the seventh and eighth units of 250 MW capacity each costing Rs 1438 crore next year, the thermal station will be designated as a Super Power Thermal Station with 1110 MW generating capacity. However, the authorities seem to have neglected the safety part of the project violating safety norms.
When contacted the Chief Fire Officer, Mr Attar Singh, said the department had 4 fire tenders and more than 70 employees for the safety and fire extinguisher for the safety of the thermal station. He added that the work to set up internal safety system for Unit-II is in progress. However, he remained silent about the other units.
But the sources added that the department concerned of the thermal station had reported the matter to a senior official of the Haryana Power Generation Corporation. A committee had been set up to look into the matter. But so far nothing has been done.
