New Delhi, August 14: Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren has taken note of the tunnel collapse incident in Chamoli district, Uttarakhand. He spoke with Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami regarding the situation.
Soren shared on the social media platform X that reports indicate some workers from Jharkhand’s Khunti and Gumla districts are trapped due to the collapse of the under-construction tunnel. He confirmed that he had a conversation with Chief Minister Dhami, who assured him that every possible effort is being made to safely rescue all workers.
Soren expressed his concern over the frequent accidents in under-construction tunnels and the plight of trapped workers. He emphasized that while development is essential, it must be conducted with respect for nature and environmental balance. The severe consequences of reckless exploitation of nature serve as a constant reminder.
He urged families of those who have relatives or acquaintances working on this project to contact the state government’s control room. The helpline numbers are toll-free: 1800-3456-526, and WhatsApp numbers: 9470132591, 9431336472, 9431336427. The government is fully committed to ensuring the safe return of every worker.
Earlier, Chief Minister Dhami rushed to the State Disaster Operations Center in Dehradun upon receiving news of debris and water accumulation in the under-construction tunnel in Chamoli late Thursday night. He took command of the entire relief and rescue operation from there, instructing officials to conduct the rescue mission at war footing.
Dhami communicated directly with the rescued workers via video conferencing to check on their well-being and boost their morale. He assured them that the state government stands firmly with them and will ensure proper arrangements for their treatment and rehabilitation.
The Chief Minister maintained continuous contact with senior officials from the Chamoli district administration, SDRF, NDRF, ITBP, Army, and other relevant agencies, receiving updates on the situation and issuing necessary directives. He made it clear that safely rescuing each individual trapped in the tunnel is the top priority, and any delay in rescue operations will not be tolerated.
As per the latest information, a total of 22 individuals are reported trapped in the tunnel, of which 16 have been safely rescued. Efforts to bring the remaining individuals to safety are ongoing.
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