How ecological negligence lead to Silkyara Tunnel accident?

The recent collapse of the under-construction tunnel at Silkyara in Uttarkashi district, Uttarakhand, has raised serious concerns about the ecological negligence and unprofessional tunnelling practices. 

The incident, which has left 41 workers trapped for the last 15 days, has brought to light the urgent need for addressing ecological concerns and adopting geologically and ecologically sound approaches for development in the Himalayas.

Lack of Ecological Consideration

The Silkyara Tunnel accident, which is believed to be a result of ecological negligence, has led to a complex rescue operation. As per the former Director General of the Border Roads Organisation, Harpal Singh, vertical drilling from above the Silkyara-Barkot tunnel has reached 31 metres as of Monday.

The goal is to drill a total of 86 metres vertically to create an escape route for the 41 workers who have been trapped for over two weeks. This method involves laying pipes of 1.2 metres in diameter vertically through the top of the tunnel.

In addition to vertical drilling, preparations are being made to commence horizontal drilling inside the main tunnel manually. This requires the rescuers to manually dig 10 to 12 metres through the debris after the auger machine malfunctioned.

"Frames of 800 mm diameter pipes have been prepared. We will move ahead by half a metre to one metre gradually. If all goes well and no obstacles are encountered a 10-metre stretch can be covered in 24-36 hours," he said.

However, the rescue operation faced a setback on Friday evening when the auger drill, a corkscrew-like device with a rotary blade at the front end, got stuck in the debris. This forced the officials to abandon the 25-tonne machine.

Parts of the auger were left to be removed from an 8.15-metre area on Sunday night. The complete removal of the shaft and fins of the machine from the rubble was necessary to pave the way for manual drilling and pushing of pipes. With around 12 metres more to go, this process is in its final stages. All parts of the machine have now been successfully removed.

Development-Ecology Balance Needed: Experts

Environmentalists and experts have pointed out that such horrific incidents will continue to happen unless a balance is achieved between development and ecology. Noted environmentalist Ravi Chopra emphasized the need for addressing ecological concerns for sustainable development. Geologists have also raised questions about the geological and geotechnical studies conducted during tunnel alignment.

The rescue operation, currently underway, involves drilling vertically from above the Silkyara-Barkot tunnel. As of Monday, 31 metres have been drilled vertically out of a total of 86 metres needed to prepare an escape passage for the trapped workers. However, the rescue efforts have been hampered due to continuous landslides and mechanical faults.

The incident at Silkyara is a stark reminder of the potential consequences of neglecting ecological concerns. It underscores the need for a more balanced and sustainable approach to development, particularly in ecologically sensitive regions like the Himalayas.

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