Gopeshwar: Around 60 people were injured late Tuesday night when a loco train carrying workers and officials collided with a goods train inside a tunnel at the Vishnugad–Pipalkoti Hydroelectric Project in Uttarakhand, officials said.
District Magistrate Gaurav Kumar said 109 people were on board the passenger-carrying loco train at the time of the accident. All the injured were rescued and are in stable condition. The collision occurred within the project tunnel while one train was transporting personnel and the other was hauling construction material. Both were operating inside the project area being developed by THDC India.
Officials noted that loco trains are routinely used in tunnel construction to move workers, officials and supplies. The Sub-Divisional Magistrate of Chamoli said 10 injured persons were shifted to the district hospital in Gopeshwar for treatment.
The 444-MW Vishnugad–Pipalkoti Hydroelectric Project is being built on the Alaknanda River between Helang and Pipalkoti in Chamoli district. The project will generate power through four turbines and is expected to be completed next year.
Chamoli SP Surjeet Singh said 42 injured people were admitted to the district hospital, with four to five suffering fractures, while 17 others were taken to Vivekananda Hospital in Pipalkoti. Police and administrative teams are stationed at both hospitals, he added.
