Chamoli (Rajeev Sharma): Around 60 people were injured when a loco train carrying workers collided with a goods train inside the Pipalkoti tunnel of the Vishnugad-Pipalkoti Hydroelectric Project in Chamoli district, Uttarakhand, officials confirmed.
Chamoli District Magistrate Gaurav Kumar said the accident occurred late Tuesday evening, involving 109 people, most of whom were project workers. “The train has been evacuated, and the condition of all injured is currently stable,” he added.
Authorities explained that one train was transporting personnel while the other was carrying construction materials inside the tunnel, which is part of the hydroelectric project being developed by THDC India.
Clarifying the circumstances, Indian Railways issued a statement noting that the trains involved were not part of the national railway system. “This unfortunate event occurred due to a local trolley transportation arrangement for tunnel construction. It is not connected to Indian Railways in any way,” the statement read.
Loco trains are routinely used within the tunnels of such construction projects to move workers, officials, and equipment. Following the incident, ten injured individuals were shifted to the district hospital in Gopeshwar for further treatment, according to Sub-Divisional Magistrate of Chamoli.
The Vishnugad-Pipalkoti Hydroelectric Project, located on the Alaknanda River between Helang and Pipalkoti, is designed to generate 444 megawatts of electricity through four turbines. Project officials aim to complete construction by next year.
Authorities have launched an investigation into the collision to determine the cause and prevent similar incidents during the ongoing tunnel construction.
