Context:

• This article is based on an Editorial “Analysis: Uttarakhand Tunnel Collapse – Makings Of A Disaster” which was published in the NDTV. The lives of 40 workers remain in jeopardy as they are trapped inside the Silkyara tunnel in Uttarakhand, which recently collapsed.

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.

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.