“Uttarakhand Tunnel Rescue Faces Setback, Manual Drilling to Begin as Snag Halts Operations”

The painstaking rescue efforts for 41 workers trapped inside a collapsed tunnel in Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi district faced yet another setback as drilling operations were once again paused due to a snag encountered by the auger.

Here’s a breakdown of key points surrounding the ongoing rescue operation:

1. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami announced the initiation of manual drilling starting tomorrow, aiming to utilize a specialized machine from Hyderabad to cut the trapped auger inside the tunnel. He emphasized exploring all potential solutions while Prime Minister Narendra Modi continues to monitor the situation closely.
2. Earlier reports suggested that a mere 10-12 meters of drilling remained to reach the trapped workers, with ground-penetrating radar indicating no significant metallic hindrances within the next five meters.
3. The operation involves welding six-meter sections of steel pipe to create a passage through the narrow tunnel. Once completed, wheeled stretchers will be employed to safely evacuate the workers.
4. Friday’s setback saw the retrieval of the drill bit from the tunnel, further complicating the anxious wait for relatives stationed outside the tunnel.
5. Prior to the halt, around 46.8 meters of an 800-millimeter-wide steel pipe had been inserted into the collapsed tunnel section, reaching a distance of 57 meters, providing a crucial lifeline for the trapped workers.
6. Garhwal Range Inspector General KS Nagnyal assured swift transportation of the rescued workers to medical centers via a secured “green corridor” under police escort.
7. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) conducted a simulation at the site, affirming adequate space and ventilation in the escape passage.
8. Forty-one ambulances stand ready at the tunnel’s entrance, prepared to transport the workers to Chinyalisaur Community Health Centre, equipped with an oxygen-equipped ward.
9. Officials reported the workers’ mental resilience and physical well-being despite being trapped for nearly two weeks, indicating their confidence in self-evacuation.
10. The Silkyara tunnel, crucial for the government’s Char Dham all-weather road project, is located 30 km from Uttarkashi and a seven-hour drive from Dehradun.

The rescue operation faces challenges, but efforts persist as authorities strategize to overcome obstacles and ensure the safe retrieval of the trapped workers.

Sources By Agencies