Assam: Rescue ops yet to begin at Kopili power plant after tunnel burst

Rescue operations to locate the 4 missing persons at the crisis-hit Kopili power plant are yet to begin, as the NEEPCO officials and workers are still battling to close the

Rescue operations to locate the 4 missing persons at the crisis-hit Kopili power plant are yet to begin, as the NEEPCO officials and workers are still battling to close the gate of the inclined tunnel that burst in the wee hours of Monday.

Three days after the disaster at the Kopili Power Plant at Umrangso in Dima Dasao district of Assam, the NEEPCO authorities are yet to bring the situation under control.

Although, work to close the gate has been going on a war footing, NEEPCO officials on ground informed that it might require another 2 to 3 days for the rescue operations to begin.

According to reports, an NDRF and a SDRF team have reached the site for the rescue operation. Restoration work at the power plant is jointly being carried out by the NEEPCO, NHPC and other agencies.

The water level of the Kopili river is rising rapidly with water flowing out of the tunnel and project site into the river is raising concerns.

At least four persons were feared trapped inside a pump house after a tunnel carrying water to the 275 MW hydel project burst on Monday. The bursting of the tunnel that carries water at a speed of 12 thousand litres per second from NEEPCO reservoir to the Kopili Power Plant has led to massive flooding.

Meanwhile, the opposition Congress in Assam has blamed the Centre for the tragedy at NEEPCO plant in Umrangso.

The Assam Congress alleged that the Centre did not release Rs 200 crore meant for maintenance of the plant. The party alleged that the BJP-led NDA Government did not release the amount approved by the UPA Government.

The Congress said that major repairing of the project was due, as the life span of the tunnel expired in 2014.

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