Kolkata, 21 July (H.S.): West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Monday expressed deep grief and concern over the tunnel collapse at the under-construction NHPC Teesta Stage VI Hydroelectric Project at Samardung-Jholungey in Sikkim's Namchi district.

In a post on social media platform X, Adhikari said he had spoken to Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang over the telephone to take stock of the situation. He said the West Bengal government was closely monitoring the developments as there was a strong possibility that some of the affected workers were from Jalpaiguri district.

The Chief Minister said State Minister Bishal Lama and the District Magistrate of Darjeeling were rushing to the accident site to ensure immediate assistance and on-ground coordination. He added that the West Bengal Home Secretary was in constant touch with the Sikkim administration and was receiving regular updates on the rescue operations.

Adhikari said he had assured the Sikkim Chief Minister of all possible cooperation and support from the Government of West Bengal during this difficult time. Expressing condolences to the families of the victims, he prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured and the safe rescue of all workers still trapped inside the tunnel.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey