New Delhi: A tunnel collapse on the Yamunotri National Highway in Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi district has raised concerns as at least 36 workers are believed to be trapped inside. The incident occurred during the construction phase, prompting officials to initiate rescue efforts on Sunday.
#WATCH | Uttarakhand: A part of the tunnel under construction from Silkyara to Dandalgaon in Uttarkashi, collapsed. DM and SP of Uttarkashi district are present at the spot. SDRF, and Police Revenue teams are also present at the spot for relief work. Rescue operations underway.… pic.twitter.com/SBa0WN9BFN
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On Saturday night, a part of the tunnel being built to link Silkyara to Dandalgaon broke, reported Uttarkashi’s Superintendent of Police, Arpan Yaduvanshi. The collapse occurred approximately 200 metres from the Silkyara entrance, near the beginning of the Brahmakhal-Polgaon route.
Yaduvanshi said that according to the officials of Hyderoelecticity Investment and Development Company Limited (HIDCL), which is looking after the construction work of the tunnel, about 36 people are trapped in the tunnel, and efforts are being made to rescue them safely.
“Efforts are on to open the tunnel and the process of removing debris inside the tunnel is in progress,” they said.
A team from the State Disaster Response Team (SDRF) and police revenue have a relief and rescue operation. The district magistrate and superintendents of police of Uttarkashi district are present on the spot.
Information about the tunnel collapse was received at the District Control Room in Uttarkashi, with the caller requesting the assistance of an SDRF team on the spot.
Acting on the information, Commander SDRF Manikant Mishra immediately directed a rescue team under the leadership of Inspector Jagdamba Vijalwan to leave for the spot with the necessary rescue equipment, they said.
“After reaching the spot, SDRF started a relief and rescue operation on a war footing in coordination with other rescue units,” the official said.