The Sikkim Legislative Assembly honored the 11 workers who lost their lives in a tunnel collapse at the NHPC Teesta Stage-VI Hydroelectric Project in Namchi district. Speaker Mingma Norbu Sherpa led the assembly in a two-minute silence to remember the victims at the start of the Budget Session. Rescue operations are ongoing to save the remaining trapped workers inside the tunnel, with various agencies involved in the challenging task.
Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang assured that the state government is closely monitoring the rescue efforts and providing necessary support to those affected by the disaster. Financial aid will be given to the families of the deceased and the injured as per the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) guidelines. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah have offered assistance to the Sikkim government after being briefed on the ongoing rescue operations.
NHPC reported that the incident was caused by a suspected pocket of methane gas within rock formations, leading to an explosion that filled the tunnel with toxic fumes. Following the tribute, the Assembly resumed its legislative proceedings, discussing the General Budget for 2026-27 and passing bills for a State Medical Council and a private open schooling board in the state.
