Uttarkashi Tunnel Collapse: Congress leader Yashpal Arya accuses Uttarakhand govt of indolence and negligence

Uttarkashi Tunnel Collapse: Uttarakhand Congress leader, Yashpal Arya, did not mince words when expressing his discontent with the Uttarakhand government's response to the Silkyara tunnel collapse.

Terming it a result of "indolence and negligence," Arya, who holds the position of Leader of the Opposition in the Uttarakhand Assembly, accused the government of corruption in awarding contracts and raised concerns about the absence of an escape tunnel, a crucial safety measure that was overlooked.

Government's Alleged Lapses and Corruption

"The way these forty workers have been trapped in Silkyara is the government's indolence and negligence. The government has committed corruption to give work to their favourite... An escape tunnel should have been built but it was ignored," asserted Arya, shedding light on what he perceives as the government's failures in ensuring the safety of the trapped workers.

Ongoing Rescue Operations: NDMA Provides Updates

National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Member, Lt General (Rtd) Syed Ata Hasnain, updated the press on the progress of the rescue operations. He informed that 86 meters of vertical drilling are required to reach the crust of the Uttarkashi tunnel where 41 workers are trapped. As of now, 17 meters of the drilling has been completed under Plan 2. Plan 3, involving sideways drilling, is yet to be initiated.

Plan 3 and Equipment Deployment

"Our plan 3 (Perpendicular, covering 170 metres) has still not been adopted. The machine for sideways drilling is expected to reach the Silkayra tunnel rescue site during the night," mentioned Hasnain. He further explained that equipment, including Magna, laser, and plasma cutter machines, has been brought in from outside to address challenges such as a stuck auger machine.

Workers' Condition and Ongoing Efforts

While addressing concerns about the workers' condition, Hasnain assured that their status is stable and safe. The manual drilling initiative by the Madras Sappers, an engineering group of the Corps of Engineers of the Indian Army, has been called in to expedite the process.

Conclusion: A Demand for Accountability

As the rescue efforts continue in Uttarkashi's Silkyara tunnel, Yashpal Arya's outspoken criticism draws attention to the need for accountability and swift, effective actions to ensure the safety of the trapped workers. The incident not only brings the government's responsiveness into question but also raises concerns about the safety protocols in place for such critical infrastructure projects.