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Analysis of the Uttarakhand Silkyara Tunnel Collapse – Makings Of A Disaster

Analysis of the Uttarakhand Silkyara Tunnel Collapse – Makings Of A Disaster

Context:

About Silkyara Tunnel and Char Dham Project

  • Silkyara tunnel: Silkyara tunnel is part of the ongoing construction between Silkyara and Dandalgaon on the Brahmakhal-Yamunotri stretch of the National Highway under the Char Dham project.
  • Char Dham Project: Launched in December 2016, it aims to enhance connectivity between the four pilgrimage sites of Char Dham—Kedarnath, Badrinath, Yamunotri, and Gangotri.

Uttarakhand tunnel collapse

Security and Sustainability Dilemma for India

  • Chinese Infrastructure Development: China’s construction of roads and helipads along the Indo-China border presents security concerns for India.
  • Strategic Importance of Double-Lane Roads: Double-lane roads are strategically needed for the swift movement of the armed forces. 
  • Development and power security: Hydel projects are necessary for this.

Why Is a Due  Diligence Culture Needed?

  • Unexpected geological challenges: Without thorough geological assessments, geological challenges lead to cost overruns, delays in timelines, and safety-related incidents.
  • Toll on workers: The absence of pre-project due diligence leads to migrant workers facing heightened safety risks, while developers remain unaffected by financial consequences.
  • Loss of Lives and Social Impact: The loss of lives and social consequences prompts a call for sustainable development with minimal environmental impact.
  • Lack of culture of accountability and consequence: The absence of effective governance and the failure to draw insights from past disasters provide no precedent for guiding future projects.

Way Forward

  • Prioritizing Safety: The safety of workers and the local population needs to be prioritised with due diligence conducted by independent expert teams before project initiation.
  • Balancing Ecological Impact: The government should focus on development without compromising ecological balance or endangering the lives of project workers and local residents.
  • Mitigating risks: For initiating developmental projects in seismic zones like the Himalayas,  proper safety precautions can mitigate risks.

Also Read: Indian Himalayan Region Needs Its Own Environmental Impact Assessment

Conclusion:

The collapse of the Silkyara Tunnel in Uttarakhand highlights the urgent need for a culture of due diligence, prioritizing safety, ecological balance, and risk mitigation in infrastructure projects, particularly in sensitive regions like the Himalayas.

 

Mains Question: Discuss the environmental challenges posed by development projects in ecologically sensitive regions like himalayas. How can a balanced approach be achieved through regulation to ensure sustainable development while preserving the natural environment? (250 words, 15 Marks)

 

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Quick Revise Now !
AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD SOON
UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
Integration of PYQ within the booklet
Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
हिंदी में भी उपलब्ध
Quick Revise Now !
UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
Integration of PYQ within the booklet
Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
हिंदी में भी उपलब्ध

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