NHPC Teesta tunnel collapse: Sikkim Assembly mourns 11 dead, CM Tamang pledges aid
Synopsis
Eleven workers are dead and more remain trapped after a methane gas explosion collapsed an NHPC tunnel in Sikkim's Namchi district. The Sikkim Assembly paused its Budget Session to mourn the victims, while CM Tamang announced ₹4 lakh ex gratia per family and confirmed that PM Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah have personally assured the state of Central support.
Key Takeaways
11 workers died after a tunnel collapsed at the NHPC Teesta Stage-VI Hydroelectric Project in Namchi district, Sikkim .
25 workers in total were trapped at the Jholungey, Samardung site when the tunnel caved in on Monday.
A suspected methane gas pocket burst triggered an explosion, filling the tunnel with toxic fumes and hampering rescue.
CM Prem Singh Tamang announced an ex gratia of ₹4 lakh per deceased worker's family and ₹50,000 per injured person.
PM Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah called CM Tamang and assured full Central assistance.
The Sikkim Legislative Assembly observed a two-minute silence on the second day of its Budget Session in honour of the victims.
The Sikkim Legislative Assembly on Tuesday, 22 July 2025, observed a two-minute silence in memory of the 11 workers killed in the collapse of an under-construction tunnel at the NHPC Teesta Stage-VI Hydroelectric Project in Namchi district, as rescue teams continued efforts to reach workers still trapped inside. The tragedy struck the project site at Jholungey in Samardung on Monday, when 25 workers — including project personnel — were trapped after the tunnel caved in.
Assembly Pays Homage
Speaker Mingma Norbu Sherpa led the House in condolences at the start of the second day of the Budget Session, expressing grief over the loss of lives and extending sympathies to the bereaved families. He also wished a speedy recovery to those injured in the incident. The solemn proceedings marked a rare pause in scheduled legislative business as members stood in silence.
Chief Minister's Assurance
Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang addressed the Assembly, stating that the state government was closely monitoring the rescue mission and ensuring all possible support to those affected. He informed legislators that financial assistance would be extended in accordance with National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) norms. Tamang had earlier announced an ex gratia of ₹4 lakh for the next of kin of each deceased worker and ₹50,000 for every injured person.
Centre Steps In
Tamang also told the House that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah had personally spoken to him after the incident to assess the ground situation. Both leaders, he said, assured the Sikkim government of all necessary assistance from the Centre following a briefing on the ongoing rescue operations.
What Caused the Collapse
According to NHPC, the mishap occurred after a suspected pocket of methane gas trapped within rock formations suddenly burst, triggering an explosion that filled the tunnel with dense fumes and toxic gases. The gas-laden environment has significantly hampered rescue efforts, with multiple agencies engaged in what officials described as a challenging operation. Rescue teams were continuing their work on Tuesday to trace and evacuate the remaining trapped workers.
Legislative Business Resumes
Following the condolence proceedings, the Assembly resumed its scheduled programme. Members deliberated on the General Budget for 2026-27 and passed two bills — one providing for the establishment of a State Medical Council and another enabling the setting up of a private open schooling board in the state. The House also adopted the Motion of Thanks on the Governor's Address and approved demands for grants for departments including Public Health Engineering, Water Resources, and Ecclesiastical Affairs.
With rescue operations still under way, the full toll from the Jholungey tunnel collapse may not yet be final. The state government is expected to provide further updates as agencies work through the difficult conditions underground.
Point of View
And the fact that 25 workers were inside when the gas ignited raises urgent questions about whether site-level safety protocols were followed. The ₹4 lakh ex gratia, while mandated under NDRF norms, is a modest sum given the scale of the loss. The more pressing accountability question — whether NHPC's pre-construction geological surveys adequately flagged the methane risk — is unlikely to be answered in the condolence proceedings of a state legislature.
NationPress
22 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened at the NHPC Teesta Stage-VI tunnel in Sikkim?
A tunnel under construction at the NHPC Teesta Stage-VI Hydroelectric Project in Namchi district, Sikkim, collapsed on Monday after a suspected methane gas pocket burst, triggering an explosion. At least 11 workers were killed and 25 were initially trapped at the Jholungey site in Samardung.
How much compensation will the victims' families receive?
Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang announced an ex gratia payment of ₹4 lakh for the next of kin of each worker who died and ₹50,000 for every person injured in the incident. Additional assistance is to be extended in accordance with NDRF norms.
What caused the tunnel to collapse?
According to NHPC, a suspected pocket of methane gas trapped within rock formations suddenly burst, causing an explosion that filled the tunnel with dense fumes and toxic gases. The hazardous conditions have made rescue operations particularly challenging.
Has the Centre responded to the Sikkim tunnel disaster?
Yes. CM Tamang told the Sikkim Legislative Assembly that both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah personally called him after the incident to assess the situation and assured the state of all necessary assistance from the Centre.
Are rescue operations still ongoing?
As of Tuesday, rescue teams from multiple agencies were continuing efforts to trace and evacuate workers still trapped inside the tunnel. The toxic gas environment has complicated the operation, and the full toll may not be confirmed until all workers are accounted for.
