Lessons from the Uttarkashi Mishap

Uttarakhand rescue: Workers in the tunnel for 14 days.. Another obstacle to the drilling machine

The Himalayas are a fragile range. Any construction here is fraught and demands careful planning and a great understanding of the complex terrain.

🚨 Safety of Trapped Workers:

The 41 workers trapped in a tunnel near Uttarkashi since November 12 have been reported safe. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers associated with large-scale construction projects in the vulnerable Himalayan region, affected by both intense human activity and the impacts of the climate crisis.

🏔️ India's Experience in Mountain Tunnelling:

India has considerable experience in mountain tunneling, undertaking projects in Kashmir, Ladakh, and other regions. While these projects are capital-intensive and strategically important for reducing travel time and facilitating the swift movement of defense forces, the urgency to accelerate construction sometimes leads to neglect of the manifold risks and challenges involved.

🚧 Risks in Tunnel Construction:

Tunneling through the Himalayas is inherently perilous due to the region's young mountains and challenging geological conditions. Squeezing rock, water influx, roof collapses, chimney formations, and gas explosions are common issues. Despite advanced technologies like Tunnel Seismic Prediction and Ground-Penetrating Radar, natural geological surprises cannot be entirely ruled out. Shear zones, fault zones, thrust zones, difficult terrain, and folded rock sequences contribute to these challenges.

💡 Need for Comprehensive Planning:

The Uttarkashi tunnel collapse emphasizes the necessity for meticulous planning and surveying in tunnel construction. Failures often result from poor initial design, inadequate soil investigation, and substandard construction. Ground investigation and high-quality design, complemented by thorough proof-checking, are critical. Once the design is finalized, the supervision and deployment of qualified engineers are essential for precise execution.

🛠️ Importance of Quality Control:

The most common cause of tunnel failures is poor design, improper soil investigation, and inadequate construction. The case of the Heathrow Express tunnel collapse in 1994 underscores the importance of a robust quality control system. Continuous and meticulous monitoring, along with prompt rectification of even minor defects, is crucial to preventing tunnel failures.

👷 Role of Implementing Agencies:

Implementing agencies, such as the Border Roads Organisation and the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), must evolve into specialist organizations for sustainable engineering in mountain highways and tunnels. They should focus on building the necessary skill sets and resources to effectively supervise contractors and ensure the success and longevity of tunnel projects.

✍Written by 

Kal-EL 👽