Gangtok, Jul 21 (PTI): The Sikkim Assembly on Tuesday observed a two-minute silence to mourn the death of 11 workers in the collapse of a tunnel under construction in Namchi district.
At the outset of the proceedings on the second day of the budget session, Speaker Mingma Norbu Sherpa led the house to observe the silence as a mark of respect to those who lost their lives after a tunnel of the NHPC Teesta Stage VI project collapsed at Jhorlunge in Samardung on Monday.
As many as 25 workers, including a few project officers, had been trapped inside the collapsed tunnel on Monday. Out of them, 11 people died, and efforts are underway to rescue the others.
According to an NHPC statement, a sudden burst of suspected methane gas trapped/embedded inside the rocks led to the explosion, generating dense fumes and toxic gases.
Sherpa expressed grief over the tragic incident and conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families while wishing a speedy recovery to those injured.
Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang also expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and informed the House that ex-gratia assistance would be provided to the families of the deceased and to the injured under the standard norms of the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF).
Tamang earlier announced Rs 4 lakh as ex-gratia for the next of kin of those workers who died in the collapse of the tunnel under construction in Namchi district and Rs 50,000 for the injured.
He said that the state government is closely monitoring the situation and extending all possible support to those affected.
The CM informed the House that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah had spoken to him regarding the incident.
He said he had apprised them of the ongoing rescue operations, while Modi and Shah assured him of all assistance from the Government of India.
The House later took up legislative and financial agendas and passed two bills seeking to establish a state medical council and to facilitate the establishment of a private open schooling board in the state.
The House also adopted the Motion of Thanks on the Governor’s address.
During the financial business, the General Budget 2026-27 was taken up for discussion by the members. The Speaker said that the budget would be taken up for passing on July 23 next.
Subsequently, under the chairmanship of Deputy Speaker, Raj Kumari Thapa, the house passed separate demands for grants for 2026-27 of the Public Health Engineering, Water Resources and Ecclesiastical among other departments.
Saddened by loss of lives in Sikkim tunnel collapse: Gadkari
Union Road Transport and Highways minister Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday said that he is deeply saddened by the tragic loss of lives in the landslide at the under-construction tunnel in Namchi, Sikkim.
In a social media post, Gadkari further said, “Heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. Praying for the speedy recovery of the injured and strength to everyone affected by this unfortunate tragedy.”
Ten people were killed after an under-construction tunnel collapsed due to a landslide in Sikkim’s Namchi district on Monday.
A total of 25 people, including project officials and workers, were trapped inside the ADIT-3 tunnel of NHPC Teesta Stage VI Hydroelectric Project at Samardung in Jholungey.
Patel Engineering Ltd (PEL), which is executing the civil construction works for the tunnel that collapsed in Sikkim, on Tuesday said its project team is working in close coordination with the disaster response forces and local authorities to rescue those trapped.
The company said all necessary resources, equipment and assistance were being provided to support rescue efforts, and its site engineering team was working round-the-clock with authorities to stabilise the tunnel and help rescue crews reach the affected location.
“In this hour of grief, our thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families and we stand by them firmly during this difficult time,” the company added.
