Char Dham Project disaster: What led Uttarkashi’s Silkyara Tunnel to collapse? Examining causes, addressing safety gaps, and methods to prevent this tragedy in future

Engulfed in profound silence and darkness, 41 workers continue to remain trapped under the debris of the collapsed section of Uttarkashi’s Silkyara tunnel. However, to everyone’s relief, the initial images of the workers were released on Tuesday morning. This revelation followed a significant development as rescuers successfully inserted a six-inch-wide pipeline through the debris—a pivotal breakthrough enabling the delivery of larger quantities of food to the laborers.

This incident has without a doubt raised concerns about the safety and resilience of infrastructure in the hilly area, prompting a thorough investigation into the causes and consequences of the collapse.