Author: Prof Amit Kumar Verma

The Silkyara-Barkot tunnel is a crucial component of the ambitious Char Dham all-weather road project initiated by the Central Government. Spanning 4.5 km between Silkyara and Dandalgaon, it is a vital segment of the Brahmakhal-Yamunotri section. Unfortunately, what was intended to enhance connectivity among the four significant pilgrimage sites known as Char Dham — Kedarnath, Badrinath, Yamunotri, and Gangotri — through an extensive 889-kilometer road network, became a site of tragedy when a section of the tunnel collapsed on November 12. The construction of the tunnel was entrusted to the Hyderabad-based Navayuga Engineering Company by the National Highways and Infrastructure…