Under construction tunnel collapsed in Uttrakhand, All you need to know

Workers are constructing a tunnel between Silkyara and Dandalgaon on the Brahmakhal-Yamunotri national highway in Uttarkashi, which collapsed on Sunday morning and trapped at least 36 workers. So far, they have reported no casualties.

A team of construction workers got trapped when a 150-metre portion of the structure collapsed around 4am (local time) on Sunday.

Uttarakhand tunnel collapse

They are building the 4km-long tunnel in Uttarkashi district to connect the Silkyara and Dandalgaon regions to reduce the journey from Uttarkashi to Yamunotri Dham, a Hindu religious shrine, by about 26km.

The National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF), State Disaster Relief Force (SDRF) and the local police are pressing into action to rescue the workers.

Rescue efforts are underway to save approximately 36 construction workers trapped inside a tunnel following an accident. A small opening has been created to insert an oxygen pipe, while efforts continue to clear nearly 200 metres of debris to open the tunnel.

Devendra Patwal, the district’s disaster management officer, reassured that the workers were not cramped inside the tunnel and had a buffer space of around 400 metres to move and breathe. He expressed confidence that the trapped workers have sufficient oxygen to survive for over 8-10 hours, providing ample time for their rescue.

Uttarakhand CM Dhami Reviews Situation

Uttarakhand’s Chief Minister, Pushkar Singh Dhami, has been in constant contact with officials since the incident occurred on Sunday morning. He expressed his prayers for the safe return of everyone involved and confirmed that the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) are on site.

The rescue operation involves the use of vertical drilling machines to cut through the debris. However, officials have warned that it could take up to three days to evacuate the workers due to the significant challenge posed by falling rubble. Images from the accident site reveal large piles of concrete obstructing the tunnel, with metal bars protruding from the rubble.

Arpan Yaduvanshi, Uttarkashi’s police superintendent, stated that rescue operations are being conducted on a war footing and assured that all trapped workers would be safely rescued. He also confirmed that no casualties have been reported so far.

Five ambulances are on standby at the accident site, ready to assist the trapped workers, who are reportedly from the eastern states of Bihar and Jharkhand.

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