JAMMU/ SRINAGAR/ NEW DELHI: The Centre has set up a three-member expert panel to probe the collapse of an under-construction tunnel on the Jammu-Srinagar national highway in Ramban district in which one person has been killed. The inquiry panel comprises an IIT-Delhi professor, chief engineer from Border Roads Organisation and an expert from the private sector to investigate the collapse. Three workers were rescued while nine remain trapped.
The panel will submit the report in 10 days. Officials said based on the findings of the probe panel, safety measures will be taken for continuing the work.
NHAI sources said the work on an adit — entrance to carry out the tunnel construction — had started on Thursday after carrying out the first blast on a very “slippery” zone. “The mishap happened when a fragmented rock came down from 15 metres from above without any warning. The contractor had carried out shotcreting and had also put rock bolts up to 12 metres,” said an official. NHAI officials said work had barely started for the two-lane tunnel from the Srinagar side when the accident happened.
Personnel from state and national disaster relief force, police and Army rushed to the spot to carry out the rescue operation soon after the incident occurred. They could rescue three workers. Sources said when they were about to reach the remaining nine who were trapped in the debris, another rock slide took place. “We had no option but to halt the operation. Then there was heavy rain,” said an official. The rescued workers were shifted to district hospital in Ramban. Responding to a question on those who are yet to be traced, Ramban deputy commissioner Masrat-ul-Islam said, “Whether they are inside it or outside the tunnel area is not known. There are chances of suffocation also.”



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