Chamoli, Uttarakhand: Nearly 60 people were injured after a loco train carrying workers collided with a goods train inside the Pipalkoti tunnel of the Vishnugad-Pipalkoti Hydroelectric Project in Chamoli district late Tuesday evening, officials said. District Magistrate Gaurav Kumar said a total of 109 people, most of them workers, were onboard the train at the time of the accident. All the injured are reported to be in stable condition.
Authorities said the trains were operating inside the tunnel as part of construction-related transportation when the collision occurred. Following the incident, all passengers were evacuated from the tunnel, and rescue teams rushed to the spot. The Sub-Divisional Magistrate of Chamoli said that 10 injured persons were shifted to the district hospital in Gopeshwar for further treatment, while others received medical care at nearby facilities.
Clarifying reports linking the incident to the Railways, officials said the trains involved were not operated by Indian Railways. In a statement, the Railways said the collision involved a local trolley transportation system arranged by the tunnel construction team and had no connection with railway operations. Such loco trains are commonly used within tunnels to transport workers, officials and construction material.
The Vishnugad-Pipalkoti Hydroelectric Project, being developed by THDC India, is a 444-megawatt project on the Alaknanda River between Helang and Pipalkoti. The project is expected to generate 111 megawatts of electricity through four turbines and is scheduled for completion next year. An inquiry into the cause of the collision is underway.
