Uttarakhand High Court Demands Urgent Answers on Trapped Workers: 'Reply Within 48 Hours

The Uttarakhand High Court has pressed for immediate responses from the state government and central agencies, demanding an account of the ongoing rescue operation for 41 workers marooned in a partially collapsed tunnel in Uttarkashi. The court's directive, a response to a PIL filed by NGO Samadhan, underscores the urgency of the situation.

A division bench, led by Acting Chief Justice Manoj Kumari Tiwari and Justice Pankaj Purohit, issued notices to the disaster management secretary, public works department, central government, and National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation. The PIL highlights the plight of workers trapped in the Silkyara tunnel since November 12, criticizing the government for what it alleges as life-endangering delays in the rescue.

The NGO accuses authorities of conducting daily "experiments" in unsuccessful rescue attempts, portraying a grim picture of the situation. The court has mandated a response within 48 hours, setting the next hearing for November 22. The PIL not only seeks urgent rescue measures but also calls for a criminal case to be registered and investigated by a Special Investigation Team (SIT).

In a poignant reminder of preventive measures, the petition stresses the necessity of providing essential rescue equipment, such as pipes, generators, and machinery, before undertaking tunnel construction projects. It contends that inadequate geological investigation prior to construction has contributed to the dire circumstances. The court's swift action underscores the need for immediate accountability and effective rescue operations to alleviate the plight of the trapped workers.

Author: Anushka Taraniya

News Writer, MIT ADT University