‘How Many Workers Are Trapped?’ Atul Sati Questions Chamoli Tunnel Rescue

By TRH News Desk

Save Joshimath movement leader and CPI(ML) member Atul Sati questions the lack of clarity over the number of workers trapped and raises concerns about rescue preparedness, tunnel safety and construction in Uttarakhand’s fragile Himalayan terrain.

Chamoli, August 14, 2026 — Save Joshimath movement leader and CPI(ML) member Atul Sati has raised serious questions over the rescue operation following the tunnel mishap at the THDC Vishnugad-Pipalkoti project, saying authorities and the project management have still not been able to establish how many workers were inside the tunnel.

Sati said the incident occurred at around 6:30 p.m. the previous day and criticised the administration, company management and the executing agency for failing to provide a clear figure on the number of workers trapped inside.

“The most worrying thing is that even after so many hours, the administration or the company management, or the people working there, are unable to tell how many people are inside,” Sati said in a video statement.

He said different figures were emerging from the administration, workers and other sources, with no confirmed number available.

Sati said the lack of basic information during a rescue operation was particularly concerning given Uttarakhand’s history of tunnel-related accidents.

Sati compares mishap with earlier Uttarakhand tunnel disasters

Sati cited previous incidents, including the Tapovan-Vishnugad project accident in 2021, the Silkyara tunnel mishap and the railway tunnel incident near Rishikesh, arguing that a common pattern was the absence of adequate information about the number and location of workers trapped underground.

Referring to the 2021 Tapovan incident, Sati alleged that rescue agencies had spent days conducting operations without having adequate information about the tunnel layout and the location of trapped workers.

He questioned how an effective rescue operation could be conducted if authorities did not know how many people were trapped inside.

Geological concerns raised over Vishnugad-Pipalkoti project

Sati also referred to discussions with geologist Dr. Navin Juyal and said concerns about water seepage and the geology of the area had existed for years.

According to Sati, studies conducted during the early stages of the tunnel work had identified water seepage in the area.

He said the region consists largely of limestone and chalk-like rock formations that can absorb and transmit water, raising concerns about underground water movement.

Sati said workers had reported a major blast-like sound followed by a large influx of water during the latest incident.

He suggested that the movement of fresh rainwater into existing cavities and underground formations could have contributed to the incident. However, these are his interpretations of the incident and would require technical investigation to establish the actual cause.

Questions safety arrangements inside tunnel

Sati also questioned the preparedness of the rescue operation, saying workers had reported that large quantities of water had accumulated inside the tunnel.

He claimed rescue teams lacked adequate equipment, including boats and other equipment required to move through the flooded section.

Sati said workers had allegedly noticed loose material falling inside the tunnel before the mishap and had raised concerns about installing girders.

He argued that if there were visible indications of a possible accident, work should have been stopped instead of exposing workers to further risk.

“Such accidents should be prevented before they happen. We should have adequate arrangements for rescue beforehand,” Sati said, questioning whether sufficient safety arrangements were in place.

Raises concerns over project in ecologically sensitive region

Sati said questions had repeatedly been raised over the construction of large infrastructure projects in Uttarakhand’s sensitive Himalayan terrain.

He referred to recommendations made after 2013 by a high-powered committee regarding projects in the region and said concerns had also been raised over funding and environmental implications.

According to Sati, the area is highly sensitive and repeated use of explosives for tunnel construction increases the risk of accidents.

He said previous incidents involving water seepage, falling rocks and debris inside tunnels should have served as warnings.

Demands accountability beyond magisterial inquiry

Sati also questioned whether a routine magisterial inquiry would be sufficient to establish accountability.

He argued that previous inquiries into accidents had not necessarily resulted in meaningful action and called instead for public pressure and stronger government oversight of companies undertaking major infrastructure projects.

Sati said compensation and relief should be provided properly to those affected and demanded strict action against companies if safety violations are established.

He also called for lessons to be drawn from the latest incident to prevent similar accidents in the future.

‘A warning from nature’

Sati described the latest incident as another warning about the vulnerability of the Himalayan ecosystem.

He said development projects in Uttarakhand should take into account the region’s fragile ecology, environment and geology.

“The Himalayas have a fragile ecology, environment and geology, and work here should be undertaken keeping these factors in mind,” he said.

Sati also said people affected by recent disasters need proper rehabilitation and compensation.

He clarified that the accident occurred at the THDC project around 13 kilometres from Joshimath and not within Joshimath itself.

Sati said he would continue monitoring developments and share scientific studies and expert views relating to the incident.

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