CM orders best medical care, monitoring of treatment for hospitalised workers
my uttarakhand news Bureau
Chamoli, 31 Dec: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami last night spoke to the District Magistrate of Chamoli to take stock of an accident at the under-construction THDC Vishnugad–Pipalkoti Hydroelectric Project. He directed that all injured workers be provided the best possible medical care and facilities and added that those requiring better care be referred to higher centres. According to the district administration, while treatment of a few injured workers is continuing at hospitals, around 66 of the 88 injured have been discharged after receiving first aid.
It may be recalled that the incident occurred during a shift change at the Tunnel Boring Machine site of the Vishnugad–Pipalkoti project at Pipalkoti in Chamoli district, when two loco trolleys used to ferry workers inside the tunnel collided with each other. At the time of the mishap, 109 workers were present inside the tunnel. The accident took place within the tunnel of the under-construction Vishnugad–Pipalkoti Hydroelectric Project being executed by THDC.
The collision resulted in injuries to around 88 workers out of 109 who were riding the trolleys at the time of the collusion. Following this, emergency response arrangements were activated. Injured workers were rushed to District Hospital Gopeshwar and the medical facilities in Pipalkoti for treatment.
On receiving information about the incident, District Magistrate Gaurav Kumar and Superintendent of Police Surjeet Singh Panwar immediately reached District Hospital Gopeshwar, met the injured workers and directed doctors to ensure proper and timely treatment.
Sharing the details with the media, District Magistrate Gaurav Kumar said that 70 workers were brought to District Hospital Gopeshwar for treatment, of whom 66 were discharged after first aid, while four workers were admitted for further care. At Vivekanand Hospital in Pipalkoti, 18 workers were given first aid and sent home. He added that 21 workers did not sustain any injuries and returned home directly from the site.
Superintendent of Police Surjeet Singh Panwar stated that the collision between the two trolleys occurred during the shift change. He said that discussions were held with Vishwanath, security head of the CISF deployed at the project. According to preliminary information, one trolley coming from inside the tunnel had already travelled about five kilometres towards the exit, while another trolley entering the tunnel had reached approximately two and a half kilometres inside, where the collision took place. The trolley coming from inside was empty at the time of the accident. Initial assessment suggests a fault in the braking system of the trolley, which led to the collision. Most of the injured workers are reported to be from Bihar, Jharkhand and Odisha. Detailed information is being sought from THDC officials.
Meanwhile, the Central Government issued a clarification today stating that during the construction of a hydro power project tunnel in Chamoli district, an incident occurred due to a local trolley transportation arrangement. It was clarified that the event has no connection with Indian Railways and that the trains referred to in some media reports are not Indian Railway trains, but a local transportation system put in place by the tunnel project team.
It may be reminded that The Vishnugad–Pipalkoti Hydroelectric Project, with a planned capacity of 444 MW, is being constructed on the Alaknanda River in Chamoli district and is considered a key power infrastructure project in Uttarakhand. Following yesterday’s mishap, safety protocols and the internal transport arrangements within the tunnel are now under review following the mishap.
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