Daijiworld Media Network - Pipalkoti

Pipalkoti, Dec 31: At least 65 workers were injured late Tuesday night after two loco trains collided inside a tunnel at the Tehri Hydro Development Corporation (THDC) hydroelectric project site in the Pipalkoti area of Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district, officials said.

The accident occurred around 8.30 pm inside the 4.5-km-long tunnel when a loco train transporting workers and construction material rammed into another train that was stationary on the same track during a shift change. Around 108 workers were travelling on the two trains at the time of the incident. Two coaches derailed following the collision, triggering panic inside the tunnel.

Describing the incident, a source close to the rescue operations said the sound of the crash was deafening and caused confusion and fear among the workers trapped inside the tunnel.

District Magistrate Gaurav Kumar and Superintendent of Police Surjeet Singh Panwar rushed to the district hospital in Gopeshwar to oversee medical arrangements. Officials confirmed that all the injured workers are in stable condition.

“The immediate priority was to ensure proper medical treatment and confirm that there were no casualties,” Kumar said, adding that a high-level inquiry has been ordered to determine how both trains came onto the same track inside the tunnel.

The 444-MW hydroelectric project on the Alaknanda river is scheduled for completion next year. Loco trains are extensively used at the site to transport workers and construction materials during tunnelling operations.

The incident has raised serious concerns over safety protocols at the project, particularly during shift changes. Authorities said corrective measures would be taken after identifying lapses, and responsibility would be fixed accordingly. Further investigation is underway.