The Adani Group issued a clarification on Monday amid claims that it should be “responsible” for the Uttarkashi tunnel collapse. Rescuers are currently working overtime to extricate more than 40 workers who were trapped inside the under-construction Silkyara-Barkot road on November 12. Many on social media have since come forward to falsely claim that the group led by Gautam Adani owns the construction company.
“We have noticed that some elements are making nefarious attempts to link us to the unfortunate tunnel collapse in Uttarakhand. We strongly condemn these attempts and those behind them. We make it clear with utmost emphasis that the Adani Group or any of its subsidiaries have no direct or indirect involvement of any kind in the construction of the tunnel. We also clarify that we do not own or hold any shares in the company involved in the construction of the tunnel,” the company said in an official statement.
The Uttarkashi tunnel – part of the Char Dham project – is being made by Hyderabad-based Navayuga Engineering Company Limited. The company is part of the Navayuga Group promoted by CV Rao and has no visible connection with the Adani Group.
Over the past few days, several social media users have attacked the Adani Group for its alleged role in the tunnel collapse.
“This Uttarakhand tunnel was built by which private company? Who were its shareholders when the collapse occurred? Was one of them Adani Group? Please do not imply,” commented former BJP MP Subramanian Swamy.
“What’s the use of reaching the moon if you can’t reach the workers stuck in the tunnel for 15 days? A tunnel that collapsed in Uttarakhand with 41 people trapped inside… Built by Navayuga Ltd owned by Gautam Adani which he acquired in 2020. Why didn’t Modi visit?” asked another (erroneous) tweet.
Many other posts in a similar vein continue to gain momentum on social media platforms these days. Others stepped in with explanations, realizing that it was two separate entities that had worked together before.
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Updated: 27 Nov 2023, 15:46 IST