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NHPC has announced an ex gratia payment of INR 5 lakh to the next of kin of each worker who lost their life in the tunnel collapse at its under-construction Teesta Stage-VI Hydroelectric Project in Sikkim. Rescue operations are continuing with the support of multiple central, state and local agencies to locate the remaining trapped workers. Senior NHPC officials are overseeing the operation at the site. The incident, suspected to have been triggered by a methane gas explosion, has once again raised concerns over safety measures at large infrastructure and hydropower construction projects.
NHPC has announced an ex gratia payment of INR 5 lakh to the next of kin of each worker who died in the tunnel collapse at its under-construction Teesta Stage-VI Hydroelectric Project in South Sikkim. The announcement came as rescue operations continued at the project site following the fatal incident.
The accident occurred after a suspected methane gas explosion led to the collapse of an under-construction section of the Head Race Tunnel (HRT). According to initial reports, at least 20 workers lost their lives in the incident.
In an official statement, NHPC said rescue operations are being carried out round the clock in close coordination with the District Administration, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), NHPC teams, Patel Engineering, Eastern Coalfields, Western Coalfields, local authorities and other agencies involved in the operation.
The company said that 25 personnel were trapped inside the tunnel after the collapse. So far, 13 bodies have been recovered, while efforts are continuing to locate and evacuate the remaining personnel at the earliest. Rescue teams are working continuously despite the challenging conditions inside the tunnel.
NHPC also said that its senior management is present at the project site and is closely monitoring the rescue efforts while coordinating with all agencies involved in the operation.
The company stated that it will provide an ex gratia payment of INR 5 lakh to the families of each deceased worker. It also conveyed its condolences to the bereaved families and expressed deep grief over the loss of lives.
The Teesta Stage-VI Hydroelectric Project is one of NHPC's major hydropower developments in Sikkim and forms part of the broader plan to harness the hydropower potential of the Teesta river basin. The project has been under construction for several years and is being developed to strengthen renewable energy generation in the region. The tunnel collapse has brought renewed attention to worker safety and emergency preparedness at large underground infrastructure projects.
Source PTI
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