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| Dul Hasti tunnel collapses; | | | Kishtwar | Jan 29
Two labourers were killed and at least twelve others wounded two of them critically, when a portion of tunnel at Dul Hasti Hydro-Electric Project collapsed around mid night, here today.
The incident took place at Dool, about 25 kilometers from here, where the tunnel work was being executed by Jai Parkash Industries. Workers alleged that the sub-standard material being used in concrete work of the tunnel was the main reason behind the incident.
A senior police officer said that the tunnel collapsed at around 12:30 AM, today when the workers were concreting it during the night shift. "The tunnel collapsed suddenly burying the labourers under debris", he said adding, "A rescue operation was launched immediately after the incident".
Deputy Inspector General of Police Doda-Udhampur Range L Mohanty said that two bodies were dugged out of the debris, while twelve workers were rescued. He said that out of the injured workers, two have been airlifted to Government Medical College Hospital Jammu for specialised treatment. The deceased workers were identified Om Parkash Son of Bhagat Ram of Padiarana, Shahid Hussain son of Ab Majeed Lone resident of Padiara.
The tunnel was part of an infrastructure development project near the 390-Megawatt Dul Hasti Hydroelectric Project. Ironically, the incident has taken place when the officials claimed that the construction work of the project is at the final stage and the project is being commissioned this year.
Residents of the area and workers alleged that the sub-standard material being used by the Jai Parkash Construction Company in the tunnel was the reason behind the incident. "The tunnel has suffered damage at several places and visible cracks have threatened the lives of the poor workers", said Ghulam Nabi, a worker with JP.
One of the injured worker claimed that the company was now repairing the tunnel by filling up the cracks. "We were filling one of such cracks when the incident took place", he added.
Leaders and activists of Bhartiya Janta Party hold a protest demonstration in the town in protest against the negligence of the NHPC and JP authorities.
Sources revealed that after public anger and demonstration police registered a case against NHPC, JP and a local contractor under section 420A, 304A, 307, 238 RPC. The police has registered a case of negligence and using sub-standard material against the responsible agencies, sources said.
Earlier, Bar Association Kishtwar demanded a judicial probe in the matter alleging that the authorities were using sub-standard material so as to meet the deadline. "We have raised the matter on several occasions but government has taken a deaf ear towards it", says Advocate Nasir Hussain, one of the members of the Association. |
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