The Vishnugad–Pipalkoti project is a 444-megawatt hydroelectric project being built on the Alaknanda River between Helang and Pipalkoti in Chamoli district.
Around 60 people were injured after a loco train hit a goods train inside the Pipalkoti tunnel of the Vishnugad-Pipalkoti Hydro Electric Project in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district. Chamoli District Magistrate Gaurav Kumar said the accident took place late on Tuesday evening. At the time, 109 people, most of them workers, were travelling on the train. He said all the injured were rescued and their condition is stable.
According to the district administration, one loco train carrying people and another carrying construction materials were moving inside the Pipalkoti tunnel when the collision happened. The project is being built by THDC (India).
Officials explained that loco trains are commonly used inside such tunnels to transport workers, officials and materials needed for construction work.
According to SP Chamoli, Surjeet Singh said, “42 people have been admitted to the district hospital, out of which 4-5 people have suffered fractures. 17 people have been admitted to Pipalkoti’s Vivekananda Hospital. Two trains collided in the project area. Our force and administrative officials are present in both hospitals.”
Visuals from Pipalkoti’s Vivekananda Hospital
#WATCH | Chamoli, Uttarakhand | Several workers injured after internal transport trains operating within the THDC hydropower project area at Pipalkoti, collided with each other.
As per Chamoli DM and SP, 109 people were onboard the trains, out of whom 60 were injured.
Visuals… pic.twitter.com/lBkCUY8Plp
— ANI (@ANI) December 31, 2025
The Vishnugad–Pipalkoti project is a 444-megawatt hydroelectric project being built on the Alaknanda River between Helang and Pipalkoti in Chamoli district. It will generate power using four turbines, each with a capacity of 111 megawatts. The project is expected to be completed by next year.
