What led to the Uttarkashi Tunnel Collapse that trapped 41 workers with it?

The All-weather Char Dham road project connecting four sites sacred to Hindus trapped 41 workers on the night of Diwali, It has been 9 days since the incident, and 5 rescue missions are ongoing to save the workers but we hardly could see any progress, rescuers claim that they might need another 24 hours but who knows what problems stand in front of them,

Companies Approach By Government For Rescue:

the government has asked for the help of companies like ONGC, and NHAI who have high-level drilling experience, they even got advanced machines from the USA to help the workers escape the tunnel but What do you think caused the collapse of the tunnel, is it due to nature or human ignorance? The exact cause of the Silkyara tunnel collapse is still under investigation. However, there are a number of possible factors that could have contributed to the incident.

uttarkashi tunnel collapse trapped workers
Image Source: PTI
  1. Geological instability: The Uttarkashi tunnel was being constructed in a mountainous region with a history of landslides and rockfalls. It is possible that the unstable geological conditions contributed to the collapse.
  2. Poor construction practices: The contractor responsible for the construction of the Uttarkashi tunnel, Navayuga Engineering Construction Limited (NECL), has been accused of using substandard materials and construction practices. This could have weakened the tunnel structure and made it more susceptible to collapse.
  3. Excessive water pressure: The tunnel was located in an area with high water pressure.
    This water pressure could have eroded the rock surrounding the tunnel, weakening its
    structure.
  4. Heavy rainfall: The region experienced heavy rainfall in the weeks leading up to the collapse. This rainfall could have exacerbated the effects of groundwater erosion and made the tunnel more unstable.
  5. Design flaws: The design of the Uttarkashi tunnel could have been flawed, making it more susceptible to collapse. For example, the tunnel may have been too narrow or the supports may not have been strong enough to support the weight of the rock above it.
  6.  Human error: Human error, such as overloading the tunnel or failing to properly maintain it, could also have played a role in the collapse.

It is likely that a combination of factors, rather than a single cause, contributed to the Silkyara tunnel collapse. A full investigation will be necessary to determine the exact cause of the incident.

In the meantime, the collapse of the Silkyara tunnel serves as a reminder of the challenges of tunnel construction in mountainous regions. Tunnel engineers must carefully consider the geological conditions, construction practices, and potential hazards in order to build safe and stable tunnels

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