Centre Constitutes Three-Member Panel To Investigate Into Ramban Tunnel Collapse

A part of an under-construction four lane tunnel on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway had collapsed on Thursday night in the Ramban district of Jammu and Kashmir.

The Ramban tunnel collapse claimed the lives of 10 construction workers who were trapped inside. ( Image Source :ANI )

New Delhi: The Central government on Sunday constituted a committee of three independent experts to look into the tunnel collapse that took place on Thursday which claimed the lives of 10 workers who were trapped inside as a huge rock mass fell above the false steel portal erected for construction.

“A committee of 03 number of independent eminent experts has been constituted by the central government which has already moved to site to investigate the reasons for slide/collapse and remedial measures thereof. Further action will be taken based on the report of the committee. NHAI has already initiated a process to handle such emergency situations and also taking all possible measures to avoid such mishappenings in future,” read the official press release. 

A part of an under-construction four lane tunnel on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway had collapsed on Thursday night in the Ramban district of Jammu and Kashmir. 12 construction workers were trapped inside out of whom two workers suffered injuries and are undergoing treatment while ten other workers died. 

The rescue operation was concluded on Saturday and all the ten bodies of the workers have been recovered from the debris. 

"All 10 bodies have been recovered and families have been informed. Five of the 10 bodies are from West Bengal. This operation now stands complete. Bodies have been shifted to hospital," Ramban Deputy Commissioner Mussarat Islam told news agency ANI.

An FIR has also been lodged in connection with the matter and compensation will be given to the kin of the deceased, said Ramban SSP Mohita Sharma, quoted by the news agency.