Gangtok, July 23: The Sikkim Government has constituted a four-member High-Level Committee (HLC) to investigate the devastating explosion and tunnel collapse inside the under-construction NHPC Teesta Stage-VI Hydroelectric Project that claimed the lives of 25 personnel trapped inside the adit of Head Race Tunnel (HRT).
The committee has been tasked with conducting a comprehensive inquiry into the causes and circumstances that led to the July 20 disaster at the ADIT-III tunnel in Samardung, Namchi district, and recommending measures to prevent similar incidents in future.
The High-Level Committee will be headed by Inspector General of Police (Law and Order) Tashi Wangyal. Its members include Principal Director of the Mines and Geology Department Phigu Tshering Bhutia, Additional Director Keshar Luitel and Deputy Inspector General of Police (CID) Tenzing Loden Lepcha, who will serve as the Member Secretary.
As part of its inquiry, the committee will reconstruct the sequence of events leading to the explosion and subsequent gas accumulation inside the tunnel.
It will investigate whether the incident resulted from blasting operations, the presence of methane or other toxic gases, equipment failure or any other technical or operational reason.
The panel has also been directed to examine whether all mandatory safety protocols, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), provisions of the Mines Act, Tunnel Safety Guidelines and Explosives Rules were being followed at the time of the accident.
It will review the adequacy and functioning of ventilation systems, gas detection mechanisms, emergency evacuation arrangements and the use of personal protective equipment by workers.
In addition, the committee has been empowered to examine any other issue related to the tragedy that may arise during the course of the investigation.
The committee has been directed to submit its findings and recommendations to the State Government within 15 days.
The Teesta Stage-VI tunnel disaster has emerged as one of the deadliest accidents in India's hydropower sector, raising serious concerns over underground construction safety, gas monitoring systems, ventilation facilities and emergency response mechanisms.
The outcome of the inquiry is expected to fix responsibility, identify lapses and recommend reforms to strengthen safety standards in tunnel construction projects in the state
