Uttarakhand Chamoli train collision inside power project tunnel triggers emergency rescue and hospitalisation of injured workers.
On Tuesday evening, a serious accident injured around 60 people after two internal locomotive trains collided inside a long tunnel at the Vishnugad-Pipalkoti Hydroelectric Project in Pipalkoti, Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. The crash occurred at around 8:30 pm. At that time, one train carrying workers and officials was moving through the tunnel when it rammed into another train that was transporting construction materials. The collision happened during a shift change, a period when movement inside the tunnel remains high.
People Onboard and Injuries
Chamoli District Magistrate Gaurav Kumar confirmed that 109 people were travelling on the workers’ train when the accident took place. Due to the collision, around 60 passengers suffered injuries. Some workers sustained minor wounds, while others suffered fractures. Immediately after the crash, rescue teams evacuated all passengers from the narrow and enclosed tunnel to avoid further danger.
Medical Response and Treatment
Following the incident, local hospitals and emergency teams responded quickly. Authorities shifted ten injured workers to the district hospital in Gopeshwar. Meanwhile, doctors treated the remaining injured workers at Vivekananda Hospital in Pipalkoti. Medical officials later stated that all injured workers are in stable condition and continue to receive proper medical care.
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Rescue Operations and Coordination
Rescue operations began without delay after the collision. Teams from the district administration, police, medical department and project safety staff rushed to the site. Working in coordination, they safely brought all injured workers out of the tunnel and transported them to nearby hospitals in time.
Details of the Hydroelectric Project
The Vishnugad-Pipalkoti Hydroelectric Project is a 444 MW power project under construction on the Alaknanda River between Helang and Pipalkoti in Chamoli district. Once completed, the project will generate 111 MW of electricity through four turbines. The project is currently under construction and is scheduled for completion next year. Inside the tunnel, internal loco trains regularly transport workers, officials and construction materials to deeper sections of the site.
Safety Concerns and Protocol Review
After the accident, authorities expressed serious concerns over safety measures related to internal train movement, especially during shift change hours. The collision exposed possible gaps in safety protocols on the single-track tunnel. As a result, officials launched an investigation to determine the exact cause of the crash and to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Authorities Continue Monitoring
The local administration continues to closely monitor the situation. Officials are overseeing the medical treatment of injured workers while also conducting safety assessments at the project site. Authorities have assured that they will strengthen safety systems and procedures as work on the hydropower project progresses.
FAQs
Q1. Where did the loco train collision take place?
The collision occurred inside the tunnel of the Vishnugad-Pipalkoti Hydroelectric Project in Pipalkoti, Chamoli district, Uttarakhand.
Q2. How many workers suffered injuries in the incident?
Around 60 people were injured, out of 109 passengers travelling on the workers’ train.
Q3. When did the accident happen?
The accident took place at around 8:30 pm on Tuesday evening during a shift change.
Q4. Where are the injured being treated?
Ten injured workers were taken to the district hospital in Gopeshwar, while others are receiving treatment at Vivekananda Hospital in Pipalkoti.
Q5. What steps are authorities taking after the incident?
Authorities have launched an investigation into the collision, are reviewing safety protocols inside the tunnel, and are closely monitoring the health of the injured workers.
