Uttarakhand: Sharp eye and sharp attack on every issue

Social activist Sujata Paul has written a letter through email to the Secretary, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Government of India, the Chief Secretary, Government of Uttarakhand and the District Magistrate, Uttarkashi, in view of the failure so far to rescue 40 laborers trapped inside the Silkyara Tunnel in Uttarakhand. There has been a demand to stop tunnel construction and road construction work until geologists complete a thorough study and evaluation of the causes of the accident and the mountain areas. On the morning of 12th November, when the country was celebrating Diwali, unaware of the accident, due to the landslide accident inside the Silkyara Tunnel, the lives of 40 laborers were in such danger from which they have not been able to get out till now.

The formation of a 6 member committee on 12 November 2023 to study the conditions and causes of the landslide shows that if any geological report was prepared in advance, it has proved to be flawed. Action should be taken against negligence by the company. Human life cannot be taken lightly as is the case with these 40 workers who are trapped in the part of the tunnel where the landslide has occurred. The trauma that workers, their families and citizens are going through can no longer be ignored. If labor laws and environmental norms have been violated then action should be taken against those responsible but at this moment the top priority is the safety of 40 human lives and at the same time there is a strong determination to ensure that no one has to suffer such a tragedy in the future. Immediate steps should be taken and till then there should be a complete ban on construction work.