A late-night shift change at a hydropower project in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district turned chaotic after two internal transport trains carrying workers collided inside a tunnel, leaving at least 60 people injured and triggering a major rescue and medical response.
The accident took place at the THDC-run Vishnugad-Pipalkoti hydropower project around 9:30 pm, when two loco trains operating inside the tunnel crashed into each other during a shift change. A total of 109 workers were onboard the trains at the time of the collision.
Chamoli Superintendent of Police Surjeet Singh said, “Forty-two people have been admitted to the district hospital, out of which four to five have suffered fractures. Seventeen people have been admitted to Pipalkoti’s Vivekananda Hospital. Two trains collided in the project area. Our force and administrative officials are present in both hospitals.”
District Magistrate Gaurav Kumar said the accident occurred inside the tunnel during routine operations. “During the time of shift change, two loco trains operating in the tunnel collided at around 9:30 pm last night. One hundred and nine people were onboard the trains, out of whom 60 were injured. Forty-two people are admitted to the district hospital and 17 people are admitted to Pipalkoti’s Vivekananda Hospital,” he said.
Officials said medical teams were deployed immediately after the collision, with doctors treating the injured at both hospitals. Police and administrative personnel remain on site and at medical facilities as the situation is monitored.
Authorities have launched an enquiry to ascertain the cause of the collision and are reviewing safety protocols at the project to prevent similar incidents in the future.
