Uttarakhand accident: Drilling halted after machine malfunctions, workers expected to be evacuated from tunnel by afternoon

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Uttarkashi:
The rescue operation of 41 laborers trapped for 12 days in the under-construction Silkyara Tunnel (Uttarkashi Tunnel Collapse) in Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi is still going on. On Thursday, November 23, excavation of the remaining 18 meters began to reach the workers, but after drilling 1.8 meters of the tunnel, excavation had to be stopped for a long time due to rebar in the rubble. Later the rebar was cut and the drilling work started again. About 16 meters of drilling is still to be done. In such a situation, the workers are likely to be evacuated by Friday afternoon.

10 Updates on Rescue Work of Workers Trapped in Uttarkashi Tunnel:-

  1. An American auger machine broke down during drilling in the Uttarkashi tunnel. Due to which drilling operations had to be stopped. The machine is being repaired. 16.2 meters of drilling is still to be done. According to officials, 41 laborers are likely to be evacuated by this afternoon.

  2. Some members of the NDMA team say that 3 to 4 more hurdles may be faced during drilling. It is not possible to predict when the rescue operation will be completed. Meanwhile, CM Pushkar Singh Dhami has decided to stay at the spot overnight.

  3. By Wednesday, the NDRF team had cleared a 45-metre road to reach the workers. On Thursday, the pipe was pushed 1.8 meters further. So far 48 meters of pipe have been drilled. Nodal Secretary Neeraj Khairwal said that due to the presence of rebar in the debris, the drilling work is facing difficulty.

  4. According to the rescue team, three pipes of 6 meters each are yet to be laid. It will take about 4 hours to lay one pipe. Only then can the workers be reached.

  5. Bhaskar Khulbe, former adviser to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) and OSD in the Uttarakhand government, said that we will reach the workers in 12 to 16 hours. It will take 2 to 3 hours to bring them out with the help of NDRF.

  6. National Disaster Management Authority member Lt. Gen. Syed Ata Hasnain said that the rescue operation is a challenging task. Hoping for a rescue in the next two hours puts pressure on work. This is incorrect in this situation, both the trapped workers and the rescue team are at risk. We have to take care of the safety of both.

  7. Union Minister General VK Singh (retd) also reached the spot on Thursday. He entered the Silkyara tunnel with some senior officers. VK Singh also took account of the rescue work of the workers.

  8. CM Dhami said that Prime Minister Modi had called to inquire about the ongoing rescue operation to safely evacuate the workers trapped in the Silkyara tunnel.

  9. After the Uttarkashi tunnel tragedy, the Road and Transport Ministry has decided to conduct a safety audit of 29 tunnels being built across the country. An agreement has been made with Konkan Railway Corporation Limited for this.

  10. As many as 19 agencies of the central and state governments are involved in the rescue operation to save the laborers trapped in the tunnel. Senior officials are also camping in Silkyara to coordinate among them.

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