Silkyara Tunnel Collapse: Rescue Complete, But Questions Remain See What Gadkari Said

The rescue operation for the entrapped workmen has been completed safely. There was no injuries or fatalities. An investigation/Expert Committee has been constituted for the investigation of the Silkyara Tunnel Collapse mentioned by Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Shri Nitin Gadkari in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha today.

There was no collapse/cavity formation in same part of tunnel in 2019.

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As per IRC: SP:91-2019 (Guidelines for road tunnels), a separate service tunnel adjacent to the traffic tunnels could be considered at design stage considering various factors like land availability, traffic volume, length of tunnel and additional cost. This additional tunnel provides access for maintenance without requiring tunnel closure. This service tunnel can be used as escape passage during an emergency.

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An Expert Committee consisting of experts from BRO, Ministry of Railways, MoRTH, and premier academic institutions has been constituted for investigation of Silkyara tunnel collapse. The Committee has visited the site and submitted a preliminary report and accordingly instructions have been issued to concerned to take necessary action to restart the project with necessary safeguards.

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