Silkyara Tunnel Rescue to Spur Safety Protocols in Infrastructure Projects

The government announced that the Silkyara tunnel project contract includes a provision for an escape passage. This comes after 41 workers were trapped in the tunnel when it collapsed. Constructed by NHIDCL and Hyderabad's Navayuga Engineering, this 4.5-kilometre tunnel aims to enhance connectivity to Uttarakhand’s Char Dham pilgrimage sites.

The government has informed Parliament that the Silkyara tunnel project contract includes a mandatory provision for the construction of an escape passage.

This announcement follows a tragic incident where 41 workers were trapped after a part of the under-construction tunnel in Uttarakhand collapsed on November 12, 2023. The workers were successfully rescued on November 28.

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari confirmed in a written reply in the Lok Sabha that National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) had included the clause for escape passages in its contract for the 2-lane bi-directional Silkyara bend - Barkot tunnel on NH-134, as mandated by the Cabinet Committee.

The Road Transport and Highways Minister highlighted that the project was approved with consideration of various risks, such as shear zones, to be tackled through scientific methods as outlined in the contract agreement.

Currently, NHIDCL is constructing the Silkyara-Barkot tunnel through Hyderabad-based Navayuga Engineering Company Ltd. The 4.5-kilometre project in Uttarakhand is part of the Centre's 900 kilometre-Char Dham Yatra All Weather Road initiative, with the overarching aim of enhancing connectivity to the four key pilgrimage sites in the state.

(With inputs from agencies.)