Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami orders a magisterial inquiry into the Chamoli tunnel accident and announces ₹4 lakh compensation for each deceased worker’s family.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has ordered a magisterial inquiry into the tunnel accident in Chamoli and announced financial assistance of ₹4 lakh each to the next of kin of workers who lost their lives in the incident.
The accident occurred at an under-construction THDC tunnel linked to the Vishnugad-Pipalkoti Hydroelectric Project, where debris and water entered the tunnel and trapped workers inside. The incident triggered a multi-agency rescue operation.
Rescue Operation Underway in Chamoli
CM Pushkar Singh Dhami said rescue efforts were continuing after workers became trapped inside the tunnel. According to the information available, 19 of the 22 trapped workers had been rescued, while efforts were underway to reach those still inside.
The rescued workers who sustained injuries were shifted to the District Hospital in Gopeshwar for treatment. Medical teams and officials were monitoring their condition.
Pushkar Singh Dhami said every life was valuable and assured that appropriate action would be taken if the inquiry establishes negligence or lapses on the part of those responsible.
CM Pushkar Singh Dhami Inspects Accident Site
The Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami visited the accident site at Mayapur in Pipalkoti to review the ongoing rescue operation. He also visited the District Hospital in Gopeshwar, where he met injured workers and took updates from doctors and officials regarding their treatment.
Pushkar Singh Dhami stressed that worker safety must remain the top priority during construction activities, particularly in projects involving challenging underground and mountainous conditions.
Seven Workers Reportedly Dead
According to the administration, seven workers have died in the accident so far. The incident has raised concerns over safety arrangements at the tunnel construction site and prompted calls for a detailed investigation.
The magisterial inquiry ordered by the Chief Minister is expected to examine the circumstances surrounding the accident and establish whether any safety-related lapses or negligence contributed to the incident.
Badrinath MLA Raises Safety Concerns
Badrinath MLA Lakhpat Butola questioned the safety arrangements at the tunnel construction site. He said the immediate priority was to rescue the trapped workers and claimed that rescue teams had worked continuously to save lives.
Butola also said that many of those affected were from states outside Uttarakhand and that he had communicated with the respective state governments regarding the incident.
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Demand for Higher Compensation
The Badrinath MLA urged the state government to increase the compensation announced for the victims. He sought ₹50 lakh for the families of workers who died and ₹20 lakh for those injured in the accident.
Butola said the compensation should take into account the serious impact the incident could have on the affected families.
Questions Raised Over Tunnel Safety Infrastructure
Butola also alleged shortcomings in the tunnel’s safety infrastructure. Referring to his visit to the site, he claimed that the ventilation or air-intake arrangement was not adequately connected to ensure proper airflow inside the tunnel.
He further raised questions about the water that entered the tunnel, alleging that the breach occurred in an area previously identified as sensitive and that adequate safeguards had not been put in place.
The MLA also referred to a similar incident reported last year and said the recurrence of such an event warrants a detailed examination of safety protocols at the construction site.
Inquiry to Determine Responsibility
Butola said he raised the safety concerns with Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and sought an investigation into the incident. According to the MLA, the Chief Minister assured him that an inquiry would be conducted and injured workers would receive proper medical care.
The magisterial inquiry will now be crucial in determining the sequence of events, examining allegations concerning safety arrangements and establishing responsibility if any negligence or procedural lapses are found.
For now, rescue and medical operations remain the immediate priority as authorities continue efforts to ensure the safety and treatment of all workers affected by the Chamoli tunnel accident.
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