645 Safety Lapses Found at Visakhapatnam Steel Plant, Union Seeks ₹1 Crore per Blast Victim
The Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) has intensified its protest against the management of Visakhapatnam Steel Plant (VSP), demanding the arrest of its Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) following multiple fatal accidents at the facility. In a press statement on Thursday, CITU state president Ch. Narasinga Rao and state secretary R.K.S.V. Kumar alleged that the management's negligence had created an unsafe working environment, leaving employees uncertain about returning home safely after their shifts.
The union highlighted an accident on June 8, 2026, that killed 10 workers. They noted that the probe committee appointed by Union Steel Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy had yet to release its report, even a month after the incident. According to CITU, the state's Factories Department had earlier identified eight serious safety violations and issued a notice to VSP management on June 23, 2026. Additionally, on December 1, 2025, factory authorities had flagged 645 safety lapses and sought an explanation within 15 days, but the management reportedly failed to respond.
CITU stated that 12 workers died in various accidents in 2025, and there are 37 court cases pending over safety violations at the plant. The union attributed the June 8 accident to systemic failures, including poor raw material quality, malfunctioning instrumentation since June 5, and absence of essential safety gear such as heat-resistant aprons and ladle safety covers. Mr. Narasinga Rao remarked that a ladle cover, costing only ₹2 lakh, could have prevented the tragedy, and accused the management of compromising safety through cost-cutting measures and a focus on privatisation.
CITU drew a parallel with the 2020 LG Polymers gas leak in Visakhapatnam, where company directors were arrested for criminal negligence. The union questioned why similar action had not been taken against VSP officials despite recurring deaths. They demanded the immediate arrest of the VSP CMD for criminal negligence, compensation of ₹1 crore for the family of each deceased worker and ₹50 lakh for the injured, and a complete overhaul of safety measures with adequate staffing in critical departments.
The union noted that staff strength in safety departments has declined, and key operational areas face severe manpower shortages compared to previous years. CITU warned of escalating protests if the central and state governments continue to prioritise privatisation over worker safety.
