Chamoli: The tunnel accident at the under-construction Vishnugad-Pipalkoti Hydroelectric Project in Chamoli has raised fresh questions over safety arrangements at tunnel construction sites. The project, being developed by Tehri Hydro Development Corporation (THDC) on the Alaknanda River, had witnessed a major accident in its main tunnel in December 2025 as well.
More than 100 employees, officials and workers were reportedly injured in that incident, including around 10 who sustained serious injuries. Despite the earlier accident, the latest incident has once again brought tunnel safety and emergency preparedness under scrutiny.
On December 31, 2025, two loco trolleys used to transport employees and workers inside the main tunnel collided and overturned. At the time, the incident was attributed to lapses in safety arrangements.
The project used loco trains running on tracks to transport employees and officials to the construction site. According to the details of the earlier accident, one loco train had reportedly been left at the construction site after its operator left. The train started moving on its own inside the tunnel and collided with another loco train carrying workers for a shift.
Following the accident, efforts were reportedly made to strengthen safety arrangements inside the main tunnel.
Silkyara Tunnel Accident Raises Similar Safety Concerns
The latest Chamoli tunnel accident has also brought back memories of the Silkyara tunnel collapse in Uttarkashi.
On November 12, 2023, a portion of the under-construction Silkyara tunnel collapsed following a landslide, trapping 41 workers inside. The workers remained trapped for 17 days before a multi-agency rescue operation successfully brought them out.
The repeated accidents at tunnel and hydropower construction sites in Uttarakhand have highlighted the need for stronger safety systems, monitoring and emergency response mechanisms during construction work in the mountainous state.
Major Accidents Reported at Hydropower and Tunnel Projects
- 2010: Three workers died following a landslide in the Rishiganga hydropower project area in Chamoli.
- 2011: One person died after a rock fell during a trial run at the Rishiganga hydropower project.
- 2021: More than 100 workers were injured after a glacier-related disaster above the Tapovan-Vishnugad hydropower project in Chamoli.
- 2023: Forty-one workers remained trapped for 17 days after the Silkyara tunnel collapse in Uttarkashi.
- 2025: Eight workers were injured in a landslide at the Tapovan-Vishnugad hydropower project.
- 2025: Fifteen workers were injured in a loco trolley accident at the Vishnugad-Pipalkoti hydropower project.
- 2026: One person died after debris fell inside the Silkyara tunnel.
