How Silkyara Tunnel in Uttarkashi Collapsed, Who is responsible?

The collapse of the under-construction Silkyara Tunnel in Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand, has left 40 workers trapped inside, sparking a massive rescue operation that is expected to continue for several more days. The incident occurred in the early hours of Sunday, November 12, when a portion of the tunnel collapsed due to a landslide.

Rescue teams are working tirelessly to clear the debris and create an escape tunnel for the trapped workers. They are using a drilling machine to insert 900 mm pipes to create a passage for the trapped workers to safely evacuate. However, the constant falling of loose debris from above has slowed the progress of rescuers.

The trapped workers are being provided with food and oxygen through pre-existing pipes. Contact has been established with the workers using walkie-talkies, and all those inside are reported to be safe.

Silkyara Tunnel Collapsed

The Silkyara Tunnel is part of the federal government’s ambitious highway project to improve connectivity to famous pilgrimage spots in Uttarakhand. The tunnel’s collapse has raised questions about the safety measures in place during its construction.

A technical committee headed by the Uttarakhand Landslide Minimisation and Management Centre is investigating the circumstances that led to the partial collapse of the tunnel. State Disaster Management Secretary, Ranjeet Kumar Sinha, stated that the tunnel collapsed due to pressure caused by soft rock.

The incident has sparked a debate about who is responsible for the tunnel collapse. As rescue operations continue, the focus remains on ensuring the safe evacuation of the trapped workers. However, the incident underscores the need for stringent safety measures and accountability in such large-scale construction projects.

Who is responsible?

The Hydroelectricity Investment and Development Company Limited (HIDCL) was responsible for the tunnel's construction. A technical committee, headed by the Uttarakhand Landslide Minimization and Management Centre, is investigating the circumstances leading to the partial collapse.

Scientists suggest that the collapse may be due to inadequate geological understanding or non-compliance with regulations. Experts say that there is a need for a meticulous geological survey before tunnel construction in the region. 

The rescue strategy is to push inside a steel pipe of 900 mm diameter with the help of a hydraulic jack to evacuate the trapped workers. Large excavators and heavy machines have been pressed into service to remove the debris. 

Address ecological concerns

Environmentalist Ravi Chopra has warned that the recent partial collapse of an under-construction tunnel on the Char Dham route in Uttarkashi’s Silkyara exemplifies the ongoing incidents if we do not address ecological concerns. Last year, Chopra resigned from his position as the chairman of a committee on Char Dham all-weather road, appointed by the Supreme Court. He emphasized that we need approaches to sustainable development that are sound both geologically and ecologically.

Former State Planning Commission advisor Harshapati Uniyal and other critics of the Char Dham all-weather highways project have expressed concerns about the construction methods, particularly the road widening. Uniyal pointed out that disturbing the slopes can inevitably lead to disasters like landslides.

The frequency of natural disasters in Uttarakhand has reportedly increased significantly since 2010, with the Kedarnath disaster of June 2013 being particularly devastating. This year, the state suffered a loss of about Rs 1,000 crore due to monsoon-related damage.

Suresh Bhai, a representative from the Himalaya Bachao Abhigyan in Uttarkashi, has called for a complete ban on tunnel projects in the Himalayas. He argues that these projects increase the vulnerability of the mountains and urges the government to reconsider all ongoing tunnel projects in the Himalayan states.

Bhai had previously expressed concerns about the environmental impact of the all-weather Char Dham road project. In April 2022, he protested against the felling of 6,000 Deodar trees in the Bhagirathi Eco-Sensitive Zone (BESZ) in Uttarkashi for the widening of a 25km road stretch. The BESZ, which spans 4,179 sq km from Gaumukh to Uttarkashi and includes 88 villages, is part of the fragile Ganga-Himalayan basin and holds significant ecological importance.

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