Shimla, July 23: NHPC Limited has expressed profound grief over the deaths of 25 personnel, including two of its officers, who lost their lives in the tragic accident inside the Head Race Tunnel (HRT) of the Teesta-VI Hydroelectric Project in Sikkim.
The tragedy unfolded on July 20, when a methane gas leak inside the Head Race Tunnel triggered an explosion, followed by a tunnel collapse, trapping 25 workers and officials underground. Despite an extensive multi-day rescue operation, all those trapped were subsequently found dead. The deceased included two NHPC officers, while the remaining victims were workers engaged at the project site.
In a condolence message issued on Thursday, NHPC conveyed its heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved families and prayed for strength to help them bear the irreparable loss.
As an immediate relief measure, NHPC announced financial assistance of ₹6 lakh each to the families of the deceased. The company also said that one eligible family member of each victim would be offered employment, subject to fulfillment of the prescribed eligibility criteria.
NHPC further stated that a condolence meeting would be held at its Corporate Office in Faridabad on July 23 at 5:30 pm, where employees and officials would pay tribute to those who lost their lives in one of the deadliest industrial accidents at a hydropower project in recent years.
