The Aryavarth Express
Dehradun (Uttarakhand):
Uttarakhand State Disaster Management and Rehabilitation Secretary Vinod Kumar Suman on Wednesday said that a total of 86 people were injured in a collision between two loco trains at the under-construction THDC Vishnugad–Pipalkoti Hydroelectric Project in Chamoli district on Tuesday night.
Speaking to, Suman said that 68 injured workers were admitted to the district hospital in Chamoli, while 18 others were taken to a hospital in Pipalkoti. He added that most of the injured have been discharged after treatment and are out of danger.
“The tunnel work for the THDC project in Pipalkoti was underway, and two locomotives are used to transport workers inside the tunnel. A collision occurred between these two trains. As per the information received, 86 people were injured in total. Of these, 68 were admitted to the district hospital in Chamoli and 18 to the hospital in Pipalkoti. Four people sustained minor fractures, while the rest were discharged after treatment. The District Magistrate of Chamoli has ordered a magisterial inquiry into the incident, and the disaster management department will issue notices and instructions to prevent such incidents in the future,” Suman said.
The accident occurred at around 9:30 pm on Tuesday during a shift change inside the tunnel. Earlier, Chamoli District Magistrate Gaurav Kumar said that 109 people were onboard the two trains at the time of the collision. According to him, around 60 people were initially reported injured, with 42 admitted to the district hospital and 17 taken to Vivekananda Hospital in Pipalkoti.
Following the incident, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami took stock of the situation and directed officials to ensure proper medical treatment for all injured workers. He also instructed that those requiring advanced care be referred to higher medical centres.
“I am in constant contact with the District Magistrate of Chamoli regarding the accident at the TBM site of the under-construction THDC Vishnugad–Pipalkoti Hydroelectric Project. Instructions have been given to provide the best possible medical facilities to all injured and to refer them to higher medical centres if required. I pray for the speedy recovery of all the injured workers,” the Chief Minister said.
