Punjab High Court Mandates Swift Conclusion of Disciplinary Action in Thermal Plant Collapse Case
In a significant development, a bench of the Punjab and Haryana High Court has issued a directive to the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL), compelling the corporation to finalize disciplinary proceedings against officers held accountable for the catastrophic collapse of the Electrostatic Precipitator (ESP) at Unit-II of the Guru Hargobind Thermal Plant in Lehra Mohabbat. This critical incident occurred on May 13, 2022, and has since been under judicial scrutiny.
Judicial Intervention and PIL Disposal
The bench, presided over by Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Sanjiv Berry, delivered this order while disposing of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by advocate HC Arora. The proceedings took place on Wednesday, with the official orders being uploaded to the court's records on Thursday. The petitioner's allegations centered on what was described as the 'irresponsible conduct' of certain officials, which directly led to the structural failure.
This misconduct resulted in a substantial financial loss estimated at Rs 2.4 crore, alongside a prolonged disruption in power production that lasted for approximately one year, severely impacting the region's energy supply.
PSPCL's Response and Court Observations
In its formal reply submitted to the high court, PSPCL disclosed that show cause notices had been issued to the concerned officers in September 2024. However, the bench emphasized that such notices should not be treated as mere formalities but must be pursued to their logical conclusion. The court explicitly directed PSPCL to file a compliance report within 60 days from the date of the order, ensuring accountability and transparency in the process.
Concurrently, the Vigilance Bureau has been conducting an independent inquiry into the matter, highlighting the multi-faceted approach to addressing the issue.
Technical Details and Remedial Measures
Paranpal Singh Johal, the Deputy Chief Engineer at PSPCL's Guru Hargobind Thermal Plant in Lehra Mohabbat, provided an affidavit outlining the steps taken to prevent future occurrences. According to Johal, all necessary measures have been implemented for the three operational units to avert similar problems.
Regarding Unit-II, the damaged ESP was officially disposed of on April 3, 2023, with the space being evacuated by August 23, 2023. Civil works for laying the foundation have been completed, and the mechanical and electrical works for the new ESP and ash evacuation system are already finished. Notably, Unit-II resumed power generation starting April 3, 2025, marking a significant recovery from the incident.
Internal Proceedings and Future Actions
The entire case was presented before the Whole Time Director of PSPCL during a meeting held on September 3, 2024. After a thorough review of all facts, a decision was made to initiate departmental proceedings against two officers who were in charge at the time of the ESP collapse. In line with this decision, show cause notices were issued to the relevant officials.
These proceedings are currently ongoing, and appropriate orders will be issued upon their conclusion, ensuring that disciplinary actions are carried out in accordance with established protocols and judicial mandates.
