Uttarkashi Tunnel Collapse: In the ongoing mission to rescue the trapped workers in the tunnel, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said on Monday that they are working to swiftly evacuate all the workers with top priority on their safety.
On the ninth day of rescue operations at the Silkyara tunnel collapse site, rescuers made a significant advancement by successfully threading a six-inch-wide pipeline through the debris of the collapsed section, where 41 labourers are currently trapped.
This six-inch lifeline facilitated the delivery of hot Khichdi to the stranded workers, marking the first time they received sustenance since being trapped.
On November 12, it was disclosed that a tunnel under construction, extending from Silkyara to Barkot, experienced a collapse. The incident resulted from a muck falling in a 60-meter stretch on the Silkyara side of the tunnel, leading to the entrapment of 41 labourers.
According to government statements, the workers are stuck in a 2 km-long tunnel segment that has been finished, incorporating concrete work intended to ensure the safety of the workers.
We have communications to trapped workers now,' says International tunnelling expert, Arnold Dix
International Tunnelling Expert, Arnold Dix said, “It's fantastic, of course, the news we have had over the last few hours. It is great to see the faces of those men that we are going to bring home. We have food going to them now, we have communications to them now. You have seen this morning that we have multiple approaches to the rescue. It's a good morning."
“Vertical drilling will start once the site is prepared because vertical drilling must be done very accurately...I think the team here has done a wonderful job. It is fantastic...Two locations were identified (for vertical drilling). We are going to rescue these men. 41 men are going to be coming home and no one is going to be hurt, that's the mission," he added.
Endoscopic camera facilitates first interaction with trapped workers in Uttarkashi tunnel
On the tenth day of rescue operations at the Silkyara tunnel collapse site in Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand, a significant milestone was achieved after an endoscopic flexi camera was successfully inserted into the collapsed section.
Visuals from the special camera facilitated the first interaction with the trapped workers. The endoscopic camera is mainly used for minimally invasive medical procedures. Doctors use this to check interior organs for diagnosis and treatment. Here the rescue teams are using a flexi endoscopic camera. The flexible wire allows the device to move along the shape of the pipeline.
International Tunnelling and Underground Space Association president Arnold Dix, who has been roped in as part of the ongoing rescue efforts at the Uttarkashi tunnel collapse site, on Tuesday said he was absolutely sure that the 41 trapped workers will come home soon.
Speaking to ANI, from the site of the tunnel Professor Dix said the rescuers have several options to bring home the workers.
"I think the team here have done a wonderful job. It's just fantastic. The 900 pipeline is one of the options. The 900 pipe which is there, which I've seen, and I'm going to go have another look at this morning. It's by far the best and fastest means to get the men, but it has its technical difficulties and that's why we're doing multiple rescue missions,"
CM Pushkar Singh Dhami says, "All agencies, engineers, technicians, and experts are working on it. With their hard work, food is now being sent through the six-inch pipeline. This is encouraging for us. We pray to God for the rescue operation to conclude at the earliest and for all our workers to come out safely. PM is collecting details every day and providing all possible help to us. I gave all the details to the PM today..."
Doctors recommended Khichdi and Dalia for the trapped workers that could not be delivered on Monday as the 6-inch pipe was blocked. Director of National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation (NHIDCL), Anshu Manish Khulko informed, "We have cleaned the pipe," He also said that today fruits like oranges, bananas and medicines were sent to the trapped workers. For dinner, the workers received solid food items such as veg pulao and matar paneer.
An official assisting in the rescue operations on the site informed that a walkie-talkie was sent inside the Silkyara tunnel through the 6-inch pipeline that was laid on Monday. Hence, communication was established with the trapped men. He added, “We also got a video showing that all of them are in good mental and physical health."
Safety norms were ignored during the construction of Silkyari tunnel’ says retired officer.Retired additional director general of the Geological Survey of India, Tribhuwan Singh Pangti informed PTI that safety norms were ignored during the construction of Silkyari tunnel. He also said that horizontal drilling was safer.
a soacial media post on X, Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami reported that he received a call from PM Modi who enquired about the Uttarkashi tunnel rescue efforts. He also seeked information about provision of food and medicines to the trapped workers at Silkyara tunnel in Uttarakhand's Uttarkashi.
A BRO worker, Lacchu Raut informed ANI, "Light machinery was moved up yesterday. The work of building a road on the hill above the tunnel is being completed. Today we will repair the road and make sure that there is no difficulty in moving the machines to the tunnel site."Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami said, "The auger machine is working today. I am hopeful that all the workers will come out safely."
NHIDCL official, Mahmood Ahmed said, “We started drilling using auger machine at 12:45 am and I am happy to share that we have drilled 39 metres and also inserted pipe of 800mm. We are progressing well. We are also doing horizontal drilling from Barkot side and have entered till 7.9 metres".
