Uttarakhand's Silkyara Tunnel Rescue Cost over Rs 1.93 Crore, Few Bills Still Unpaid, MoRTH Tells Rajya Sabha

Two bills have been cleared related to the rescue and relief operations at the Silkyara Tunnel in Uttarakhand that cost over Rs 1.93 crore while a few remain unpaid, the ministry of road transport and highways (MoRTH) informed the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.

On November 12 last year, a collapse occurred in the under-construction tunnel between Silkyara and Barkot in Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi district due to debris falling. A total of 41 workers were trapped for several days and were rescued safely on November 28.

“An expenditure of Rs 1,93,91,761 has been incurred till date towards clearing of two number of bills related to the rescue and relief operations at Silkyara Tunnel in Uttarakhand. A few bills have not been paid,” the ministry said in reply to a question from Mallikarjun Kharge, leader of opposition in the Rajya Sabha.

MoRTH also said expenditure made on rescue and relief operations is on account of the engineering company.

The work on the tunnel remained suspended for a few weeks following the mishap. In February, the ministry informed the Lok Sabha that directions had been issued to resume pending work on the project by observing necessary safeguards.

The workers were stuck inside the tunnel for 17 days and were provided food and essential supplies through a pipe. They were supplied oxygen, communication devices, food items, water, and essential articles like toothpaste, toothbrushes, undergarments, towels, socks, and woollen inners during the operation.

The government agencies tried a number of methods to make a path for the stranded workers but all initial efforts failed. After this, rat hole miners were brought in for the rescue.

The 4.5-km two-lane bidirectional tunnel is being constructed as part of the Char Dham Mahamarg Pariyojana and will join the Gangotri and Yamunotri axis under the Radi pass. The total cost sanctioned for the project in March 2018 was Rs 1,383 crore.

The construction of the tunnel will ease the journey for pilgrims as it will provide all-weather connectivity and reduce a 25.6-km snow-affected length of NH-134 (Dharasu-Barkot-Yamunotri road) to 4.5 km, resulting in the reduction of travel time to five minutes from 50 minutes at present.