New Delhi, December 31 (UNI) Following the collision of two locomotives inside a tunnel at the Tehri Hydro Development Corporation’s hydropower project in Pipalkoti, Uttarakhand, which left several people injured, Indian Railways issued a clarification stating that the trains involved were not part of its network, amid growing concerns over safety at the site.
In the incident which occurred around 9.30 pm on Tuesday, two loco trains carrying 81 workers collided with each other inside a tunnel at the THDC project in the Chamoli district.
In the clarification issued on Wednesday morning, the Indian Railways spokesperson stated, “It is clarified that during construction of a hydro power project tunnel construction, an event occurred due to local trolley transportation arrangement in Chamoli district Uttarakhand. This event has nothing to do with Indian Railways. The trains mentioned in the news are not Indian Railway trains. This is a local arrangement done by the tunnel Project team for transportation.”
Meanwhile, THDC Executive Director and Project Manager Kumar Sharad said that the accident occurred last night during the shift change. “One of our locomotives, which was carrying officers and labourers, collided with another locomotive. 81 people were there, 74 are safe and discharged from the hospital. Around 7-8 have minor injuries and are receiving treatment. The good thing is that there were no casualties. THDC stands with all our employees and labourers,” he said in the statement.
Earlier, speaking to the media, SP Chamoli Surjeet Singh, had said that around 5 persons suffered fractures. “42 people have been admitted to the district hospital, out of which 4-5 people have suffered fractures. 17 people have been admitted to Pipalkoti’s Vivekananda Hospital. Two trains collided in the project area. Our force and administrative officials are present in both hospitals,” he told the media.
According to THDC, Vishnugad Pipalkoti Hydro Electric Project is located on river Alaknanda, a major tributary of river Ganga, in district Chamoli in the state of Uttarakhand. Slated to be completed next year, the project will generate an estimated 1,665 gigawatt-hours, (or million kilowatt-hours) of electricity annually.
The project will build a 65-meter diversion dam near Helang village in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand to create a small reservoir in the Alaknanda River.
