An inquiry committee has been formed to find out about the water leakage problem inside the Tambakhani tunnel on the Gangotri National Highway, and suggest measures to prevent it.
The leakage came to light on August 2, prompting authorities to plan preventive measures. “An inquiry committee has been formed regarding the huge amount of water leakage in the tunnel,” Uttarkashi District Magistrate (DM) Abhishek Ruhela said.
The committee consists of experts from the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited and the public works and the irrigation departments, he said. Despite crores of rupees being spent to address the problem, leakage of water inside the tunnel continues unabated. Dirt and mud accumulate in and around the tunnel, causing inconvenience to locals and pilgrims alike.
As per the officials, the 380-meter-long tunnel was built about 10 years ago at a cost of more than Rs 13 crore.
Rs 19 crore was sanctioned for the tunnel’s construction and the work assigned to the irrigation department. The department started work on the project in 2006 and got the tunnel ready in 2013. However, upon its completion, many technical flaws came to light inside the tunnel and improvements such as correcting the drainage and water trap systems were done at a cost of Rs 15 crore.
Despite this, the condition of the tunnel did not improve. Water continues to seep from the tunnel walls at many places after excess rain. The leakage causes mud to be scattered everywhere, causing problems for locals and pilgrims on the Char Dham Yatra.
The committee is likely to submit its report after conducting an on-spot investigation, said the district magistrate.
Locals said that the leakage inside the tunnel poses a threat of possible damage to the structure. Leaking water inside the tunnel and mud are also causing trouble and inconvenience for the Chardham Yatra and the local people, they added.
