The aluminium smelter project of the Vedanta limited, Jharsuguda is destined to suffer loss of crores of rupees for an accident in the project area late April 17 night.
With yearly production capacity of 0.5 million tonne in the aluminium smelter project, 228 pots out of total 608 pots have become useless due to power disturbance and leakage. The repair of these pots will take nearly four months.
According to a Press release of the company, the quantification of loss and time frame for normalcy could not be done. However, preliminary reports said that the company has to bear losses of nearly Rs 150 crore.
Similarly, the Factory and Boiler Department sources indicate that the company will bear irreparable loss for not being able to produce nearly 30,000 tonne aluminium as these pots will remain idle for four months till it gets into operation after necessary repair.
The sources also indicated that leakage was noticed at 1.30 am in the night of April 17 following power failure. Thereafter, the fire rose high up to the sky causing damage to the roof nearby. However, no casualties of workers were reported as the entire operation is controlled from the control room itself. But, production in half of the plant was suspended.
With daily production capacity of nearly 2.5 tonne of each pot, the company will sustain loss for not producing more than 30,000 tonne in the next three months, which will be 25 per cent of the quarterly production.
Sources said that 2 smelter plants of the Vedanta limited with 0.5 and and 1.25 million tonne are in operation. After the accident, a preliminary report after visiting site has been submitted, said Deputy Director AK Nanda. However, the actual reason will be clear after inquiry by the specialist team, he added.