Dehradun: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed deep sorrow over the accident in the Silkyara Tunnel in Uttarkashi, where a portion of shotcrete collapsed. He directed officials to provide immediate compensation to the family of the deceased worker as per the rules and to ensure that the mortal remains are respectfully sent to the worker’s home district. The Chief Minister said that the safety of workers is the state government’s highest priority.
Following the Chief Minister’s directions, Secretary, Disaster Management and Rehabilitation, Vinod Kumar Suman, conducted a detailed review of the incident with officials of NHIDCL and the district administration. The meeting reviewed the relief and rescue operations, the safety measures implemented inside the tunnel, and the technical aspects related to the incident.
Secretary Vinod Kumar Suman directed officials to conduct a thorough investigation into the causes of the accident and reassess all technical and safety standards to prevent similar incidents in the future. He also instructed officials to review the existing Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) related to tunnel construction and operation and make necessary amendments.
He said that the revised SOP should be practical, effective, and clearly defined for all concerned agencies to ensure prompt and coordinated action during any emergency. He also directed officials to establish proper coordination with the district administration, SDRF, NDRF, Fire Services, the Disaster Management Department, and other concerned agencies.
The Secretary instructed officials to carry out a special inspection of all potentially vulnerable sections inside the tunnel and ensure immediate protective and preventive measures wherever structural risks are identified. He emphasised that the safety of workers and all other personnel engaged in construction activities must be ensured as the highest priority.
The meeting was attended by Additional Chief Executive Officer (Administration) Prakash Chandra, Uttarkashi District Magistrate Prashant Arya, Additional Chief Executive Officer (Implementation) and DIG Rajkumar Negi, Joint Chief Executive Officer Dinesh Kumar Punetha, along with officials of NHIDCL and other concerned departments.
