High-Level committee formed to probe Sikkim tunnel disaster

Gangtok, July 23 -- The Sikkim government has constituted a four-member High-Level Committee (HLC) to probe the tunnel tragedy at the under-construction Teesta Stage-VI Hydro Electric Project in Namchi district that claimed 22 lives, while some workers are still believed to be trapped inside.

The committee has been directed to submit its findings and recommendations to the competent authority within 15 days, a senior official said on Thursday.

According to a notification issued by Chief Secretary R. Telang, an explosion-like incident occurred on July 20 inside the under-construction ADIT-III tunnel at Samardung in Jholungey, prompting the state government to order an inquiry into the causes and circumstances leading to the tragedy and to ...