Workers Feared Trapped As Tunnel Collapses In Uttarkashi District

A section of a tunnel being constructed between Silkyara and Dandalgaon on the Brahmakhal-Yamunotri national highway collapsed on Sunday morning, trapping 36 workers inside, according to officials. The incident, reported between 6 am and 7 am, prompted a swift response from police, National Disaster Response Force, and State Disaster Response Force personnel who are currently engaged in rescue operations. While initial reports suggested 40 workers were trapped, records from the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) confirm the count at 36, as reported by PTI. 

Located approximately 200 meters from the tunnel entrance, the collapsed section has become a focal point for rescue efforts. Uttarkashi Superintendent of Police (SP) Arpan Yaduvanshi assured that an oxygen pipe has been deployed into the affected area to facilitate breathing for those trapped. Additionally, food supplies are being sent in, and a prompt rescue operation is underway to ensure the workers' safety.

Emphasizing the immediate priority of saving lives, SP Yaduvanshi refrained from providing details on the circumstances leading to the collapse. The tunnel in question is a crucial part of the Char Dham all-weather road project, with its completion expected to shorten the distance between Uttarkashi and Yamunotri by 26 km.