The families of workers missing from the Rishiganga hydel project site created a ruckus here on Wednesday accusing the authorities of not carrying out the rescue operations properly after the sudden flood in the Alaknanda river system wreaked havoc.
Garhwal commissioner Ravinath Raman told
The Indian Express, “Earlier, we were told about the probability of about 34 labourers present 180 metres inside the Intake Adit tunnel, and we were digging in that direction. Today, they (NTPC authorities) informed us that the last known worksite of the labourers is a silt filtration tunnel (SFT) 12 metres below the Intake Adit Tunnel and about 72 metres from its opening. With this, the strategy of going up to 180 metres has been changed. Drilling will be done in the SFT and lights with cameras will be lowered into the area.”
Sources also told the newspaper that Uttarakhand government authorities, in a meeting today, directed NTPC officials to share “correct” information, and send expert engineers of the tunnel to the site to assist in the rescue operations.
Uttarakhand News Highlights: ITBP carries rations to villages cut off due to floods
Uttarakhand News LIVE Updates: So far, at least 28 bodies have been recovered from different places. The rescue operation is underway in affected areas of Uttarkhand, which witnessed an avalanche and a deluge on February 7. Uttarakhand News LIVE Updates: A portion of the Nanda Devi glacier broke off in Uttarakhand s Chamoli district, triggering an avalanche and a deluge in the Alaknanda river system that washed away hydroelectric stations on February 7. At least 31 bodies have been recovered and 206 people still missing as multiple agencies worked at rescuing over 30 workers feared trapped inside a big tunnel at Tapovan.