India
Uttarakhand tunnel had no emergency exit, was built through geological fault: Probe panel member | India News
[ad_1]
NEW DELHI: A panel member investigating the collapse of the Silkyara tunnel in Uttarakhand has revealed that the structure lacked an emergency exit and was constructed along a geological fault, Reuters reported.
Part of the under-construction tunnel had collapsed on November 12, trapping 41 workers inside. Rescue efforts to pull out the workers have been going on for 12 days and have entered the final stretch.
According to the preliminary findings, the collapse may have been caused by a geological fault, known as a “shear zone”, a panel member told Reuters on condition of anonymity.
The member is part of a team constituted by the Centre to probe the tunnel collapse incident.
The member said there was no escape passage despite government guidelines recommending emergency exits for tunnels over 1.5 km in length.
“After completing the rescue operations, our focus will shift to conducting comprehensive investigations to identify construction shortcomings,” the member said.
The government said on Wednesday it had ordered the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to audit 29 tunnels being constructed across India.
“Himalayan geology is not as predictable as we generally think,” NHAI member Vishal Chauhan told reporters when asked on Friday if the government could have been better prepared for such an emergency.
“There are multiple obstacles and we are using the best technology to find solutions,” he added.
The tunnel was being built as part of the ambitious $1.5 billion Char Dham project.
(With inputs from Reuters)
Watch Uttarkashi Tunnel Latest: Morning visuals capture intense rescue operation for 41 trapped workers
Part of the under-construction tunnel had collapsed on November 12, trapping 41 workers inside. Rescue efforts to pull out the workers have been going on for 12 days and have entered the final stretch.
According to the preliminary findings, the collapse may have been caused by a geological fault, known as a “shear zone”, a panel member told Reuters on condition of anonymity.
The member is part of a team constituted by the Centre to probe the tunnel collapse incident.
The member said there was no escape passage despite government guidelines recommending emergency exits for tunnels over 1.5 km in length.
“After completing the rescue operations, our focus will shift to conducting comprehensive investigations to identify construction shortcomings,” the member said.
The government said on Wednesday it had ordered the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to audit 29 tunnels being constructed across India.
“Himalayan geology is not as predictable as we generally think,” NHAI member Vishal Chauhan told reporters when asked on Friday if the government could have been better prepared for such an emergency.
“There are multiple obstacles and we are using the best technology to find solutions,” he added.
The tunnel was being built as part of the ambitious $1.5 billion Char Dham project.
(With inputs from Reuters)
Watch Uttarkashi Tunnel Latest: Morning visuals capture intense rescue operation for 41 trapped workers
#Uttarakhand #tunnel #emergency #exit #built #geological #fault #Probe #panel #member #India #News
