Lok Sabha Question No. 4602 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-28
Subject: Avalanche in BRO Camp
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: Shri Dhairyasheel Sambhajirao Mane, Shri Sudheer Gupta, Shri Chavan Ravindra Vasantrao

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4602

TO BE ANSWERED ON 28 th  March, 2025

## AVALANCHE IN BRO CAMP

4602. SHRI DHAIRYASHEEL SAMBHAJIRAO MANE: SHRI SUDHEER GUPTA: SHRI CHAVAN RAVINDRA VASANTRAO:

Will the Minister of DEFENCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether a massive avalanche has hit a Border Road Organisation (BRO) camp near Mana village, Chamoli district in Uttarakhand recently and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the number of BRO labourers killed/injured/missing in the said incident;
- (c) whether the Government has sent any Central team/rescue team to the affected site to assess the loss of life due to the said incident and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether the Government has provided/announced any financial assistance to the dependents of affected labourers of BRO and if so, the details thereof; and
- (e)  the  preventive  measures  taken/being  taken  by  the  Government  to  prevent  such  type  of incidents in future?

## A  N  S  W  E  R

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

(SHRI SANJAY SETH)

(a):  Yes, Sir. A massive avalanche occurred near the camp area of EPC Contractor i.e M/s S&P VCIPL JV (working agency with BRO) in Mana village, Chamoli district, Uttarakhand in the early hours of the intervening night of 27 th  & 28 th  February 2025. The camp was located approximately 4 km North of the Badrinath Shrine at chainage 0.100 km on the Mana-Mana Pass road.

- (b):  BRO has informed that out of 54 personnel/labourers present in the camp, 46 (including injured) labourers were safely rescued/recovered. Unfortunately, eight labourers have lost their lives.

(c):  Yes, Sir.  Apart from Indian Army troops at Joshimath responding as the first responders, a joint rescue team comprising personnel and assets from the Indian Air Force, Army Aviation, BRO, National  Disaster  Relief  Force  (NDRF),  State  Disaster  Response  Force  (SDRF)  and ITBP supported by the state and district administration were immediately deployed with the objective  of  undertaking  search  and  rescue  operations,  providing  medical  aid as  well as  to assess the extent of damages.

(d):  Under the aegis of the State Disaster Relief fund, a compensation of Rs.4 lacs has been disbursed to the families of each of the deceased labourers of the Contractor. Further the district administration is initiating a proposal for payment of relief under the Prime Minister's National Relief  Fund.  Also,  the  deceased  will  receive  insurance  amount  under  the  Employee Compensation Policy purchased by the Contractor.

(e):    The  Government is implementing the following measures to prevent such incidents in future: -

-  Conducting  regular  safety  drills  for  BRO  personnel  and  laborers  working  in high-risk-zones.
-  Coordination  with  the  Indian  Meteorological  Department  (IMD)  and  state authorities for timely weather alerts.
-  Conduct of safety Audit of all labour camp locations.
-  Regular awareness workshops and safety instructions in addition to contingency and safety drills.

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