Uttarakhand tunnel collapse Highlights: Rescue operation enters final stretch

Central trade unions said the Silkyara Tunnel collapse in Uttarakashi in which 41 workers remain trapped "exposes the callous attitude" of the government towards the occupational safety and health of the workers.

"The Platform of Central Trade Unions and Sectoral Federations/Associations express their anguish at the failure of the authorities to take responsibility for the Silkyara Tunnel collapse in Uttarakashi, Uttarakhand," said a joint statement issued by eleven trade unions and sectoral federations.

A 15-man strong NDRF team led by a commandant has been tasked to take out one by one the 41 labourers stuck for the last 10 days in the collapsed Silkyara Tunnel in Uttarkashi.

The evacuation method which involves a series of 800 mm diameter steel pipes has proven to be a big challenge for the rescuers so far.

The NDRF jawans have conducted a mock drill on how they will go through the pipe to the other side of the rubble where the labourers are stuck, NDRF second-in-command (2 ic) Ravi Shankar Badhani told PTI.

The Jharkhand government has planned to airlift workers belonging to the state who were among the 41 people trapped in the Silkyara tunnel in Uttarakhand after their rescue.

There are around 15 workers from Jharkhand trapped in the tunnel.

An official from the Jharkhand labour department present at the rescue spot told PTI that the state government has planned to airlift the workers belonging to their state.

Uttarakhand tunnel collapse LIVE: A 41-bed hospital was set up at the Chinyalisaur Community Health Centre in the district on Wednesday, prepared to provide care for the 41 trapped laborers once they are rescued from the Silkyara tunnel.

Rescue operations at the tunnel intensified during Wednesday as the American auger machine resumed drilling through the debris within the collapsed area. By afternoon, it had penetrated up to 45 metres, creating an escape route for the trapped laborers.

About12 more metres need to be cleared through the debris to install two additional 800 mm diameter steel pipes, each 6 metres long. These pipes will facilitate the stranded workers' passage out of the tunnel.

(PTI)

Uttarakhand tunnel collapse LIVE: Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India (DFCCIL) and Indian Railways collaborated to operate a specialized train transporting equipment from Karambeli in Gujarat to Rishikesh in Uttarakhand, covering a distance of 1605 km.

This initiative is aimed to assist in the rescue operations being carried out following the Uttarkashi tunnel collapse. The train's journey spanned from New Sanand to New Khatauli along the DFC alignment, covering 1075 km within 18 hours and 38 minutes on November 21st and 22nd, 2023.

Notably, it maintained a Maximum Permissible Speed of 95% throughout its route on the DFC.

Uttarakhand tunnel collapse LIVE: About 67 per cent of the augur drilling has been successfully completed, with a horizontal pipe inserted up to 45 meters.

The second channel for food distribution is operating effectively, ensuring a steady supply of essentials like roti, sabzi, khichdi, daliya, oranges, bananas, medicines, and clothing items such as T-shirts, undergarments, toothpaste, and soap, ANI reported citing official statement.

Describing efforts to create a safe passage for the rescue team, the government mentioned, “To give emergent safe passage to the rescue team, an escape passage by way of box culverts, and pipes for a length of 67 meters has been completed.”

(ANI)

Uttarkashi tunnel collapse LIVE: At the Silkyara tunnel entrance, officials reported the insertion of 800-mm diameter steel pipes, reaching 45 metres through the rubble. They anticipate reaching the trapped laborers within another 12 metres.

In pursuit of an alternative strategy, rescue teams dug approximately eight meters from the opposite end of the under-construction Char Dham route tunnel in Uttarakhand.

According to PTI, NHIDCL MD, addressed reporters, highlighting the critical nature of the 40 to 50-metre stretch: “After we cross it we can speak with more confidence.”

Regarding the timeline, he mentioned, "If we don't face any hurdle and go at the same pace we may get some good news late on Wednesday night or Thursday morning."

Discussing the alternative plan, Ahmad added, "We are also doing horizontal drilling from Barkot side of the tunnel. Three blastings have been done and we have already entered about eight metres from that end."

Officials had earlier noted that reaching the trapped workers from the Barkot end would significantly extend the operation duration.

Uttarakhand tunnel collapse LIVE: As the rigorous rescue efforts continue to save the 41 trapped workers within the collapsed section of Uttarkashi's Silkyara tunnel, chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed hope that all the victims will soon be safely rescued.

"The auger machine is working and we hope that all our worker brothers will be out safely soon," Dhami was quoted as saying by PTI.

Uttarakhand tunnel collapse LIVE: Sunita Hembram, speaking to ANI, shared details about her conversation with her trapped brother-in-law in the tunnel, affirming his stable health. “I had a conversation with my brother-in-law who is trapped here. He is stable and healthy. The workers have received food, clothes and other items. Hopefully, they will be rescued by the morning tomorrow. The doctors also had a conversation with the trapped workers,” she said.

On the 11th day of the rescue operation for the 41 trapped workers in Uttarakhand's Uttarkashi district's Silkyara tunnel, officials remain optimistic about an imminent rescue.

The progress has been really good since last night. We have crossed 39 metres. Everyone is excited, the operation is moving in the right direction. If there are no obstacles ahead, we will quickly be able to rescue the trapped workers: Arpan Yaduvanshi, Uttarkashi SP

If everything goes well at this pace, we can get some ‘good news’ by late night or tomorrow morning: Mahmood Ahmed, Director, National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL)

The machinery has reached the site at the Silkyara end and the drilling has started there. The work on Barkot end will begin today: Vivek Srivastava, Commander, 36 BRO

Our task was to give an access road for vertical drilling which was at the Silkyara end of the tunnel, wherein a track of 1150 m was to be created which we did and handED it over on November 20. At the end of the track, two vertical drills are to be done, one machinery has reached the site out of two. Our second task was to give an access road towards Barkot, which is the other end of the tunnel so the survey for that ended yesterday and the machinery has reached the ground today: Major Naman Narula, BRO

I just want 41 men home to their families and I don't want any of you hurt. My feeling is we are going to get that. My feeling is we are going to get 41 men home and none of you guys hurt as well: International tunneling expert Arnold Dix, in-charge of rescue operation

Four ambulances brought at the site of tunnel collapse in Uttarakhand's Uttarkashi after request made for 40 ambulances; remaining to be brought soon from Dehradun.

"All arrangements have been made such as oxygen cylinders and masks, stretcher, BP equipment, all machines and facilities are here," says Harish Prasad, ambulance staff member.

Around 1,200 metres of road has been constructed. Two drilling machine vehicles have also reached the tunnel site. We have constructed the track within 48 hours: Major Naman Narula, BRO

Respected Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi ji spoke to me on the phone today, and I briefed him about the ongoing rescue operations to provide food, medicines and other essential items to the workers trapped in the under-construction tunnel in Silkyara, Uttarkashi: Pushkar Singh Dhami on X (formerly Twitter)

BRO to build a road on the hill above the collapsed tunnel; 37 BRO workers to construct the road.

“Light machinery has been 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,” says Lacchu Raut, a BRO worker.

A temple has been built at the entrance of the collapsed tunnel.

Prayers being offered at the temple for the well-being of the workers trapped inside the structure.

The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) is constructing roads near the site; the roads will be used for machines to pass through, to carry out the rescue operation.

Also, a machine that got stuck yesterday due to the road being narrow, has now been brought to the site.

Rescuers have identified a location to carry out vertical drilling to rescue those trapped inside the collapsed Silkyara tunnel.

As per an estimation given by the Union government, vertical drilling will commence from three different points of the hill, reaching the trapped men in 2-3 days.