Three persons died when an embankment on the all weather road project site at Hindolakhal on Rishikesh-Gangotri highway collapsed on a house in the wee hours on Friday. The home owner Dharm Singh sustained injuries from rocks while his son, daughter and niece died in the incident.
According to information received, at about 3:30 AM on Friday, Singh was going out of the home to answer nature’s call when an all weather road embankment along with debris fell on his home. His children and niece were asleep inside the home and did not get a chance to escape. As soon as he regained senses, the injured Singh raised the alarm and called out for help. Reaching the site on hearing his shouts, the villagers informed the Narendranagar police about the incident.The police and disaster relief team personnel soon reached the site and began rescue and relief efforts.
Using a JCB and other equipment, the team cleared the debris but by then the three youngsters buried in the debris had succumbed. Those who died in the incident have been identified as Singh’s 18 year old son Anik, his 25 year old daughter Vinita and his 18 year old niece Neelam.
Singh said that he had told the departmental officials on several occasions that the embankment could become a danger despite which no protective measures were taken.
The Narendranagar sub divisional magistrate Yukta Mishra said that action will be taken against the person responsible if negligence is ascertained in this case.
