Investigation Committee Formed After Delhi-Mumbai Expressway Tunnel Collapse Results in Fatalities

An inquiry panel has been established to determine the reasons behind the collapse of a tunnel under construction on the Delhi-Mumbai expressway in Kota. This incident resulted in one fatality and four injuries. An official statement revealed that a fine of Rs 50 lakh has been levied on the contractor, DilipBuildcon Ltd, and Altis-Holding Corporation due to safety lapses that led to the accident.

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According to the statement, the tunnel's wall, part of the eight-lane expressway in Kota, collapsed on Saturday. This incident trapped five workers, including a telehandler operator. The wall had been secured with Shotcrete and rock bolts as per approved design plans. The collapse occurred during reinforcement binding activities.

Rescue Efforts and Investigation

Rescue operations were promptly launched, successfully freeing four workers from the debris. However, despite all efforts, one worker succumbed to severe injuries and could not be saved. The investigation team consists of domain experts S.K. Nirmal, A.K. Shrivastava, and Alok Pandey. They are tasked with visiting the site on Monday to identify the causes of the incident and recommend measures to prevent future occurrences.

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is actively taking necessary steps to implement remedial measures to address this situation effectively. The committee's findings will be crucial in ensuring such incidents do not happen again.