Toll in Chamoli tunnel tragedy rises to 11, DM orders magisterial probe into incident
Dehradun, Aug. 20 -- Another worker rescued from the inundated THDC tunnel site in Chamoli where an aquifer burst on August 13 died during treatment at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Rishikesh on Wednesday, taking the death toll in the incident to 11, officials said.
The deceased was identified as Rohit Pandey (20) from Bihar.
"Pandey was initially shifted to Srinagar Base Hospital from where he was referred to AIIMS Rishikesh, where he succumbed to injuries during treatment," said district magistrate Gaurav Kumar.
He said the district administration was also mediating talks between representatives of the victims and THDC regarding the workers' demand for increased compensation.
"A total compensation of Rs.11 lakh has been announced by the THDC and executing company Hindustan Construction Company (HCC), but the workers are demanding a compensation of Rs.50 lakh. They are referring to compensation given by NTPC during the Raini disaster incident, but the THDC is citing the compensation given during the recent Sikkim tunnel incident. We have called the stakeholders for the next round of talks," the district magistrate said.
"Six workers are receiving treatment at Gopeshwar hospital,' he added.
Meanwhile , the district administration has ordered separate magisterial inquiries into the incident as well as a separate case involving a flash flood in Tamak Nala near Tapovan.
Officials said the inquiries were ordered to ascertain the circumstances leading to the two incidents, examine possible lapses and recommend measures to prevent similar accidents in the future. The investigating officers have been directed to submit their reports within 15 days.
The district magistrate appointed the sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) of Chamoli to lead the enquiry into the tragedy at the Pipalkoti tunnel site. The officer has also been asked to include recommendations in the report for strengthening safety arrangements and preventing the recurrence of similar incidents at tunnel construction sites.
The district administration has directed all concerned officials and departments to extend necessary cooperation to the investigating officer and provide relevant records and documents required for the inquiry.
The nagistrate ordered a magisterial inquiry into an incident at Tamak Nala near Tapovan in the Jyotirmath tehsil area, where heavy rainfall triggered a sudden surge of water and debris, affecting a bridge/roadway over the stream and disrupting traffic.
During an on-site inspection, it was found that three vehicles on National Highway-107 were affected by the water and debris flowing from the nala. Two of the vehicles belonged to a Border Roads Organisation (BRO) unit. A pickup/loader vehicle was also swept away by the strong current of a drain.
The magistrate has appointed the Sub-Divisional Magistrate of Jyotirmath as the investigating officer for the second inquiry....
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