Mishap at under-construction submarine won't affect project: Defence Ministry

NEW DELHI: A day after a civilian worker was killed in an accident at the under-construction nuclear submarine at Visakhapatnam, the Defence Ministry said that the incident was not connected with any nuclear-related activity and would not adversely affect the project or the work of the Navy.

"No defence personnel were involved in the accident. The accident is in no way (connected) with any nuclear-related activity. The submarines are safe and the accident does not adversely affect the project activities or the activities of Indian Navy or DRDO," the ministry said in a statement.

Two other workers were also injured in the accident at Visakhapatnam.

Navy has been under scrutiny for some time now over a number of incidents on its submarines and vessels. Before the tragedy here, another accident on Friday in Mumbai resulted in the death of a Navy commander in a gas leak on an under- construction warship.

The ministry said that the latest accident occurred when L&T, an industrial partner, was undertaking preparatory activities for Hydro-Pressure Testing of a tank at the Ship Building Centre, Visakhapatnam.

"The test of the component was part of the standard industrial process being carried out by the industrial partner," it said, adding that the condition of the two injured workers is now stable.

"Work related to the pressure system involved in the accident has been suspended till the cause is established and mitigating measures are put in place. An inquiry has been ordered by the Department of Defence R&D to investigate the accident," it said.