Thu May 01 22:23:03 UTC 2025: ## Four Visakhapatnam Steel Plant Workers Hospitalized After Gas Leak
**VISAKHAPATNAM, Andhra Pradesh (May 2, 2025)** – Four employees of the Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL), the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant (VSP), were hospitalized after a gas leak at Blast Furnace-1 late Wednesday night. Susmith, Yadav, M. Venkateswara Rao, and Ramaraju lost consciousness due to the leak. Quick action by colleagues who shut off the gas supply and transported the workers to the plant’s general hospital prevented further injury. Mr. Venkateswara Rao was later transferred to a corporate hospital where his condition is reportedly improving. The condition of the other three is said to be stable.
RINL officials stated that such incidents occur regularly, a claim disputed by CPI(M) State Executive leader and VSP union leader Ch. Narasinga Rao. Rao expressed concerns about worker safety in light of recent layoffs and voluntary retirement schemes, warning of potential dangers to all stakeholders if safety protocols are not strictly enforced. Visakhapatnam MP M. Sribharat visited Mr. Venkateswara Rao in the hospital and pledged to investigate the cause of the incident and prevent future occurrences. The incident has raised concerns about workplace safety at the VSP.
First Piper 