A 20-year-old migrant worker from Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, lost his life after a horrific accident involving a hydraulic machine at the Veligonda Project's Tunnel-2 in Andhra Pradesh.
- 20-year-old Montilal Singh from Lucknow died in a tunnel accident.
- The fatality occurred due to a strike from a hydraulic machine 9km inside the tunnel.
- This marks the third fatal accident since the project's inception in 2006.
A devastating accident occurred in the early hours of Monday at Tunnel-2 of the Veligonda Project in Yeguva Cherlopalli village, located in the Dornala mandal of Markapuram district. The victim, identified as Montilal Singh, a 20-year-old native of Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, succumbed to severe head injuries.
According to Veligonda Project Superintending Engineer (SE) Abutalem, Montilal was working as a helper during the third shift on Sunday night. The accident took place around 3:00 AM on Monday, approximately 9 kilometers deep inside the tunnel, when his head was allegedly struck by a hydraulic machine. Despite being rushed to the government hospital in Dornala, he passed away at 7:00 AM.
Why This Matters
BozokMedia analysis shows that the recurrence of accidents in the Veligonda Project—this being the third since 2006—points to a critical gap in occupational health and safety (OHS) management in deep-bore tunneling. While the project is nearing completion, the loss of a young life underscores the high risks associated with high-pressure hydraulic machinery in confined spaces.
Infrastructure growth cannot come at the cost of human life; rigorous safety audits must be mandatory for all deep-tunneling operations.
Minister for Water Resources Nimmala Ramanaidu expressed his shock and immediately contacted the Chief Engineer and representatives from Megha Engineering and Infrastructures Limited (MEIL). The Minister has directed that all possible financial assistance and insurance benefits be provided to the deceased's parents, as Montilal was unmarried.
Historical Background: The Veligonda Project is a massive irrigation and water supply initiative designed to alleviate water scarcity in the region. Since its start in 2006, it has faced numerous engineering challenges due to the geological complexity of the terrain, making the construction of its tunnels one of the most perilous parts of the operation.
Project Safety Overview
| Metric | Details |
|---|---|
| Project Start Date | 2006 |
| Total Fatalities Reported | 3 |
| Contracting Agency | MEIL |
| Location of Incident | Tunnel-2, Markapuram |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who was the victim of the accident?
The victim was Montilal Singh, a 20-year-old helper and a resident of Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.
2. What caused the fatality?
The worker's head was struck by a hydraulic machine while working deep inside the tunnel during the night shift.
