Uttarakhand tunnel rescue highlights: ‘Will review all tunnels in state to avoid such cases,’ says CM Dhami

An ambulance has been sent inside the Uttarkashi tunnel to give the workers immediate medical assistance, with a team of doctors on standby.

The horizontal, vertical and manual drilling in the Uttarakhand collapse rescue projects are being done simultaneously, with the project making major progress.

The manual drilling of the tunnel has been completed till 55 metres, and a major breakthrough is expected in the rescue operations by 5 pm today, with just a few metres left.

“We are still mining. We have got a couple of more metres to go...We are expecting to see some results by 5 pm. 2-3 metres are left,” Micro tunnelling expert Chris Cooper said.

Vertical drilling on the hill has been stopped for the time being. Manual drilling is going on successfully inside the tunnel and to ensure that there is no hindrance in the drilling work below, vertical drilling has been stopped. Meanwhile, the process of changing machines in vertical drilling is being completed.

ANI

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami's office said on Tuesday, “Prime Minister Narendra Modi called up Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami once again today and took information regarding the relief and rescue work of workers trapped in the tunnel in Silkyara.”

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi inquired from Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami about the well-being of the workers trapped in the tunnel. The Prime Minister received complete information regarding drilling. He said that along with the safety of the workers trapped inside, special care should also be taken for the safety of the people engaged in relief work outside. He said that the families of the workers trapped inside should not face any kind of problem. The Prime Minister also discussed the upcoming strategy,” the office said.

“The Chief Minister told Prime Minister Narendra Modi that manual digging work has started. A total of 52 meters of pipe has been pushed so far. If there is no major hindrance, all the workers will be evacuated soon. He said that the health of all the workers trapped inside is safe. Workers, engineers and expert officers engaged in relief and rescue work are making every possible effort,” the office said.

“The Chief Minister said that quality food is being sent regularly to all the workers trapped inside. All the workers are also being kept in constant communication with doctors and psychiatrists. Continuous talks are also being held with the families of the workers trapped inside. He informed that in addition to the communication setup established by SDRF, telephonic communication setup has also been established by BSNL,” the office said.

“The Chief Minister said that after the evacuation of the stranded workers, all preparations have been completed. He told that SDRF, NDRF have been deployed on the spot. The doctor's team is also present on the spot. All officers have been kept on alert 24 hours,” it added.

Tunneling Expert Arnold Dix says, “We have been positive before and I am positive today. Today is the first day I said, ‘I feel good.’ The drilling along the top of the mountain is coming along perfectly. In the tunnel, it is coming along very well. So, I feel good...The mountain has told us one thing, that is to be humble...41 men, home safe and then you will be reporting the most extraordinary thing.”

Family members of the 41 trapped workers have been advised to prepare and keep the workers' clothes and bags ready. Once rescued, the workers will be transported to Chinyalisaur Hospital, ANI reports.

The vertical drilling for the 1.2-meter diameter pipe from the hilltop has covered a distance of 43 meters, with an estimated 40-50 hours required to finish the remaining work, ANI reports.

Additionally, 78 meters of vertical drilling for the 8 mm diameter pipe from the hilltop has been successfully completed. However, further drilling has been temporarily suspended due to a minor issue in the pipeline. Meanwhile, manual drilling inside the tunnel is progressing smoothly.

“All engineers, experts and others are working with all their strength. As of now, pipe has gone 52 metres in. The manner in which the work is ongoing, we hope that there will be a breakthrough very soon. As soon as the pipe goes through, the process of bringing out them (workers) will begin. Everyone is fine,” says CM Pushkar Singh Dhami.

“Almost 52 metres has been done (pipe inserted). It is expected that there will be a breakthrough around 57 metres. 1 metre of the piple was pushed in before me, if 2 metres more of it is pushed in it will be around 54 metres in. After that, one more pipe will be used in...Earlier steel girders were found (during drilling), this has reduced now. Right now, we are finding more of concrete, it is being cut with cutter,” Uttarakhand chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami arrived at the Silkyara tunnel where the rescue operation to help 41 trapped workers is underway.

Auger machine is being used to push the pipe.

Micro tunnelling expert Chris Cooper says, "...It went very well last night. We have crossed 50 metres. It's now about 5-6 metres to go...We didn't have any obstacles last night. It is looking very positive..."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasised the collective efforts of the government and various agencies in the ongoing rescue operation to evacuate the workers stranded in the Uttarakhand tunnel for the past two weeks, ANI reports.

He urged people to pray for the safe and prompt release of the trapped individuals, highlighting the challenges posed by nature during the rescue efforts.

A landslide on November 12 caused a section of the Silkyara tunnel in Uttarkashi district to collapse, trapping 41 workers under a substantial mound of debris. Multi-agency rescue operations are being conducted urgently to address the situation.