The Defence Ministry on Sunday said that the accident at the Ship Building Centre, Visakhapatnam in which a civilian worker was killed was “in no way related with any nuclear-related activity”.
“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 Defence Ministry said in a statement a day after the accident.
It said that the accident occurred while L&T, an industrial partner, was undertaking preparatory activities of Hydro Pressure Test of a tank inside a building 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 at the facility.
“Work related to the pressure system involved in 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,” the statement said.