Blast shuts down BTPS unit

­Power generation at BTPS (Bellary Thermal Power Station) Unit II was stopped on Thursday morning due to a blast and the resulting leakage of steam.

The leakage in the 500-MW capacity unit was detected in the morning and immediately power generation was stopped.

“Though it appears that blast occurred due to the pressure of steam, the exact reason will be known only after 24 hours,” said BTPS Executive Director G Ratnamma.

On Friday morning, the boilers will be inspected and later repair work will be taken up, she said and added that the unit would be shutdown for two weeks.