A tunnel collapse at a Uttarakhand hydropower project killed at least seven workers.
Why it matters: The project is part of India’s power buildout, and the collapse puts fresh pressure on safety standards in difficult Himalayan terrain. It also highlights the regulatory and operational risks tied to large infrastructure projects that rely on tunneling work.
- A tunnel under construction at the Vishnugad-Pipalkoti hydroelectric project collapsed in Chamoli district, Uttarakhand, after a rush of water and debris, according to AP and district officials.
- AP reported seven workers were dead, 12 were rescued alive and three remained missing as of its Aug. 14 report.
- THDC India Limited says Vishnugad-Pipalkoti is a 4 x 111 MW run-of-river hydroelectric project with a 13.4 km head race tunnel and a 3.04 km tail race tunnel.
- Rescue teams included the National Disaster Response Force, state disaster response personnel, the Indo-Tibetan Border Police and fire services.
A tunnel under construction at the Vishnugad-Pipalkoti hydroelectric project in Chamoli district, Uttarakhand, collapsed after a sudden rush of water and debris entered the tunnel, according to AP and district officials. AP reported that seven workers were dead, 12 had been rescued alive and three were still missing as of its Aug. 14 report.
THDC India Limited describes Vishnugad-Pipalkoti as a 4 x 111 MW run-of-river hydroelectric project in Chamoli district, about 225 km from Rishikesh on NH-58. The project includes a 13.4 km head race tunnel and a 3.04 km tail race tunnel, according to THDC’s project page.
AP said rescue teams included the National Disaster Response Force, state disaster response personnel, the Indo-Tibetan Border Police and fire services. Amrit Lal Meena, commander of the NDRF team, said there was "a lot of water inside the tunnel and water was also seeping from the sides."
The collapse adds to scrutiny of tunnel construction in Uttarakhand after the 2023 Silkyara tunnel collapse in Uttarkashi, when 41 workers were trapped for 17 days before being rescued.
By the numbers
- 4 x 111 MW - THDC's stated installed capacity for Vishnugad-Pipalkoti.
- 13.4 km - Length of the project's head race tunnel, according to THDC.
- 3.04 km - Length of the project's tail race tunnel, according to THDC.