November 12, 2023 – On the day of Diwali, a major incident occurred in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand early in the morning. Several people are trapped in a crisis here. Due to a landslide inside the under-construction tunnel from Sillakyaara to Dandalgaon on the Yamunotri National Highway, around 36 laborers working here got stuck. The police administration is engaged in rescue operations.
The construction of the tunnel is being carried out by the Navayuga company under the guidance of NHIDCL. It is reported that more than 36 laborers are trapped inside the tunnel. The district disaster management of Uttarkashi has confirmed this. It is not yet known how many workers are trapped inside the tunnel. The company is working to remove the debris. Five ambulances have been deployed at the scene.
Work was going on day and night here. About a thousand laborers were involved in the construction of the tunnel, working in different shifts. The construction of the 4.5 km long tunnel was left with 500 meters. The goal was to complete it by February.
ADG Law and Order AP Anshuman stated that there is no information about any casualties yet. SDRF and other rescue teams have reached the spot along with the police force. According to information, the incident occurred at 5:00 AM on Sunday. The landslide occurred 200 meters from the tunnel entrance in the direction of Sillakyaara, while the workers were 2800 meters inside the tunnel.
The length of the tunnel being prepared under the Alwedar Road Project is 4.5 km. Construction has been completed up to four kilometers. The original goal was to complete the tunnel construction by September 2023, but now the target has been set for March 2024.
Upon receiving information about the incident, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said that since the incident, I have been in constant contact with officials. He mentioned that he has complete information about the incident. SDRF and NDRF are present at the scene. Prayers are being offered for the safe return of everyone.