New Delhi: Around 40 workers are feared trapped as an under-construction tunnel in Uttarkashi district collapsed during the early hours of Sunday. Rescue operation is underway.
About 150 metres of the tunnel getting constructed between Silkyara and Dandalgaon on the Brahmakhal-Yamunotri national highway in Uttarkashi collapsed during the early hours of Sunday. According to sources, a 150-metre portion of the 4.5-kilometre-long tunnel collapsed around 4am.
As soon as information about the incident was received, Uttarkashi Superintendent of Police Arpan Yaduvanshi immediately reached the spot and launched a relief and rescue operation, police added.
Yaduvanshi said rescue operations are happening on war-footing and all workers will be rescued. He added that the incident happened at the starting point of the tunnel and no casualties have been reported so far.
“National Disaster Response Force, State Disaster Response Force, fire brigade and employees of the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), the organisation that is constructing the tunnel, are at the spot as well,” they said. According to officials, arrangements have been made to ensure sufficient oxygen supply for those trapped inside the tunnel.
With the construction of this all-weather tunnel under the Char Dham Road Project, the journey from Uttarkashi to Yamunotri Dham will be reduced by 26 kilometres.
Agencies

KR Desk