1 month ago
NHPC’s Teesta Power Station Restored, Fatal Blast Occurs
Jitendra Kumar is the new boss of NHPC’s office in Siliguri and still runs the 510‑MW Teesta‑V Power Station.
He helped bring the station back to life after big floods in 2023, and it started working again in July 2026.
But in July 2026, a gas leak caused a blast in a tunnel of a new project, killing 25 workers.
The National Disaster Response Force rescued everyone, but all 25 died.
Kumar said the power stations in the Teesta area will keep helping India get electricity.
Jitendra Kumar became Executive Director of NHPC’s Siliguri office on August 1, 2025, while heading the 510 MW Teesta‑V Power Station.
He led the station’s restoration after the October 3, 2023 floods, resuming operations on July 14, 2026.
A blast on July 20, 2026 in the HR Tunnel Face‑4B of the Teesta Stage VI project killed 25 workers from ten Indian states.
The explosion was caused by a combustible‑gas leak; the NDRF rescued all trapped workers, who were all lost.
Kumar said NHPC’s Teesta‑basin power stations will continue to meet India’s growing energy needs.
- Who
- Jitendra Kumar, NHPC Limited, 25 workers
- What
- Appointment, restoration of Teesta‑V Power Station, fatal blast and rescue
- Where
- Siliguri, Teesta basin, Samardung, Namchi district, Sikkim
- When
- August 1, 2025; July 14, 2026; July 20, 2026; October 3, 2023
- Why
- To restore power after floods and address safety in the Teesta Stage VI project
Key facts
- Executive Director
- Jitendra Kumar
- Company
- NHPC Limited
- Power Station
- Teesta‑V Power Station (510 MW)
- Restoration Date
- July 14, 2026
- Fatal Blast Date
- July 20, 2026
- Location of Blast
- HR Tunnel Face‑4B, Samardung, Namchi district, Sikkim
- Fatalities
- 25
- Rescue Agency
- NDRF
Quotes
Jitendra Kumar
Executive Director of NHPC Limited’s Regional Office in Siliguri
“NHPC, particularly its power stations in the Teesta basin, would continue to play a vital role in meeting the country’s growing energy requirements.”
thestatesman.com
Sources
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