Union minister announces relief package for Visakhapatnam Steel Plant accident victims
Hyderabad: Union Heavy Industries Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy announced a relief package for families affected by the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant accident and assured them of the Centre’s full support.
The minister visited the accident site along with Union Civil Aviation Minister K. Ram Mohan Naidu, Andhra Pradesh Home Minister V. Anitha, Visakhapatnam MP M. Sribharat, TDP state president Palla Srinivasa Rao and MLC Vepada Chiranjeevi Rao.
Kumaraswamy expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and urged employees to remain united during the difficult period.
He described the incident as a major setback at a time when efforts were underway to restore the steel plant to full operational capacity.
Visakhapatnam Steel Plant accident victims to receive compensation
The Union Minister announced an ex gratia payment of Rs 25 lakh for each family of the deceased.
Families of the injured will receive Rs 10 lakh each.
He said the benefits would apply to both regular and outsourced employees.
In addition, affected families will continue to stay in Ukkunagaram quarters until the employee’s retirement period.
The government will also provide financial assistance for the education of their children.
Further, one permanent job will be offered to each affected family, Kumaraswamy said.
The minister noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had expressed grief over the tragedy.
He said the Prime Minister announced assistance of Rs 2 lakh for the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund.
Meanwhile, the Centre has constituted a special investigation committee comprising experts from other steel plants.
The committee will reach Visakhapatnam, inspect the accident site and determine the causes of the incident.
It will also recommend safety measures to prevent similar accidents in the future.
According to officials, molten steel at a temperature of around 1,500 degrees Celsius spilled after an explosion involving a ladle carrying liquid steel at the plant’s SMS-1 unit.
The Visakhapatnam Steel Plant accident claimed eight lives and left six others injured.
Kumaraswamy later visited the hospital and met workers undergoing treatment.
I travelled to Visakhapatnam immediately upon receiving information about the incident and reviewed the situation with senior officials. I also met the injured workers undergoing treatment and directed the management to ensure the best possible medical care and extend all… pic.twitter.com/XZGl0Meb2Z
— ಹೆಚ್.ಡಿ.ಕುಮಾರಸ್ವಾಮಿ | HD Kumaraswamy (@hd_kumaraswamy) June 8, 2026