Uttarakhand tunnel scare: 2 loco trains collide in Vishnugad-Pipalkoti hydroelectric project; 60 injured

GOPESHWAR: Around 60 people were injured after a loco train carrying workers and officials hit a goods train inside the Pipalkoti tunnel of the Vishnugad–Pipalkoti Hydroelectric Project late on Tuesday night, officials said.District Magistrate Gaurav Kumar said 109 people were on board the train when the accident took place. All those injured have been rescued, and their condition is stable.The collision happened inside the tunnel while one train was transporting people and another was carrying construction materials. Both trains were operating within the project area, which is being built by THDC (India).Officials said loco trains are commonly used inside tunnels to move workers, officials and materials during construction work.The Sub-Divisional Magistrate of Chamoli said 10 injured persons were shifted to the district hospital in Gopeshwar for medical treatment.The 444-megawatt Vishnugad–Pipalkoti Hydroelectric Project is coming up on the Alaknanda River between Helang and Pipalkoti in Chamoli district. The project will produce 111 megawatts of power through four turbines and is expected to be completed next year.According to SP Chamoli, Surjeet Singh said, "42 people have been admitted to the district hospital, out of which 4-5 people have suffered fractures. 17 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."'Nothing to do with Indian railways'Later, Indian Railways clarified that the mishap at the construction site occurred due to the local trolley transportation arrangement and had nothing to do with the railways.“It is clarified that during the construction of a hydro power project and tunnel in Chamoli district, Uttarakhand, an incident occurred due to the local trolley transportation arrangement. This event has nothing to do with Indian Railways. The trains mentioned in the news are not Indian Railways trains — this is a local arrangement made by the tunnel project team for transportation,” Northern Railway CPRO Himanshu Shekhar Upadhyay was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.