These lags from govt side lead to silkyara tunnel accident

On November 12, 2023, a portion of the under-construction Silkyara-Barkot tunnel collapsed in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand. The collapse trapped 41 workers inside the tunnel. The State and Central Governments immediately mobilized resources to rescue the workers.

The rescue operation lasted for almost 17 days. The workers were rescued by a multi-agency rescue operation. The Indian Air Force's Chinook helicopter airlifted the workers to AIIMS Rishikesh hospital.

Infrastructure oversight: Accountability and concerns

The tragic collapse of the Silkyara Tunnel in Uttarakhand has raised serious questions about the role of government oversight and the use of outsourced labor in major infrastructure projects. The National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (NHIDCL) has come under scrutiny following allegations of negligence and mismanagement.

The tunnel collapse occurred a week after Colonel Deepak Patil, an Indian Army officer, was repatriated from his position as General Manager of the Silkyara Tunnel project. In a statement made upon his departure, Patil revealed that the tunnel had encountered 21 cavities during its construction due to its complex geology and large-scale deformation.

Following Patil’s departure, the responsibility for the tunnel was handed over to an engineer hired on an outsourced basis from a private firm. This decision has raised questions about the appropriateness of outsourcing such crucial government work. Critics argue that private company employees may lack the necessary accountability and commitment to safety standards.

Further concerns have been raised about the lack of permanent staff at NHIDCL. Despite being operational since 2014, NHIDCL has not advertised for the post of Deputy General Manager (Admin), and people as old as 69 are still working at the organization.

Urgent Reforms for Safer Infrastructure

The construction of the tunnel was contracted to Navyuga Engineering. Interestingly, while nine out of ten bidders for the tender were asked for clarifications before the opening of the financial bid, no such clarifications were sought from Navyuga.

These revelations have led to a call for greater transparency and accountability in the management of major infrastructure projects. As investigations into the Silkyara Tunnel collapse continue, the hope is that lessons will be learned to prevent such tragedies in the future.

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