Nine Migrant Workers Die in Chennai Power Plant Arch Collapse

Tragic Collapse at Ennore Power Project

Nine migrant workers from Assam tragically lost their lives, and at least one worker sustained serious injuries, following the collapse of an under-construction arch at the Ennore Supercritical Power Station in Chennai on Tuesday, September 30, 2025. The incident occurred at the construction site of the 1,320-megawatt Ennore Special Economic Zone (SEZ) thermal power project near Ponneri in North Chennai.

Police officials reported that the workers were engaged in building a concrete arch over 20 feet above the ground when the metal scaffolding supporting the structure gave way, causing them to fall approximately 30 feet. Dr. J Radhakrishnan, Chairman and Managing Director of the Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (TANGEDCO), stated that 'The grid fell on them from 45 feet high as they worked on a crane. It's a coal handling shed and work was on to build a cover.' The main contractor for the expansion project is Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL).

Victims Identified and Official Response

All nine deceased workers hailed from Assam, with four from the Karbi Anglong district and five from the Hojai district. The victims have been identified as:

• Munna Kemprai
• Sorbojit Thausen
• Phaibit Fanglu
• Bidayum Porbosa
• Paban Sorong
• Prayanto Sorong
• Suman Kharikap
• Dimaraj Thousen
• Dipak Raijung

Fellow workers and rescue teams immediately transported the injured to Stanley Government Hospital in North Chennai, where nine of them succumbed to their injuries. One worker remains hospitalized with serious injuries.

Investigations and Compensation Announced

Following the tragedy, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin expressed his condolences and announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh for the families of each deceased worker. He also instructed officials to ensure the swift transportation of the bodies back to Assam. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also conveyed his grief and announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the next of kin of the deceased, and Rs 50,000 for the injured worker.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma confirmed the identities of the workers and is coordinating with Tamil Nadu authorities to repatriate their remains. The Kattur police have registered a case and sealed off the construction site as a detailed investigation into the cause of the structural failure is underway. J Radhakrishnan, Chairman and Managing Director of TANGEDCO, visited the hospital to assess the situation and meet with the injured.