Rescue operations at the Silkyara tunnel in Uttarakhand, where 41 workers have been trapped for 15 days, saw significant progress on Monday. Rescuers had drilled 36 metres into the hill above the tunnel, employing both vertical and horizontal approaches to expedite the process. Rat-hole mining experts, numbering twelve, arrived at the site to begin manual drilling and excavation for the last 10- to 12-metre stretch of debris in the collapsed portion of the under-construction tunnel.
The initial vertical drilling, accounting for 40% of the required 86 metres, faced a setback when a large auger machine became stuck in the rubble on Friday. As an alternative strategy, officials opted for horizontal drilling from above the tunnel.
The last stretch, deemed critical, is now being tackled manually by the team of experts. This manual approach involves workers entering the escape passage with drills and gas-cutters to navigate obstacles like iron girders.
1.6 metres of manual drilling was completed, pipe pushed in up to 1.6 metres, news agency ANI reported.
As of Monday evening, the rescue team successfully cut out the last piece of the stuck auger, allowing for further progress in the ongoing efforts. A steel pipe has been inserted into the partially completed escape passage to facilitate the rescue mission.
Rat-hole mining is a controversial and hazardous procedure in which miners in small groups go down narrow burrows to excavate small quantities of coal. Uttarakhand government’s nodal officer Neeraj Khairwal made it clear that the men brought into the site are not rat-hole miners but people who are experts in the technique, PTI reported.
Team Of 6 Including Army Engineers, Technicians Involved In Manual Drilling: NDMA
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) announced on Monday that manual horizontal drilling would commence alongside the ongoing top-down drilling to rescue the 41 trapped workers in the Silkyara tunnel in Uttarkashi.
"Manual technique will be employed tonight with the help of Indian Army engineers, rat miners, and other technicians. They will move inside forming a group of two people," stated Lieutenant General (Retd.) Syed Ata Hasnain, NDMA member, as quoted by news agency PTI.
The broken parts of the auger machine were successfully retrieved with the assistance of a plasma cutter flown in from Hyderabad.
With a commitment to the safe rescue of all 41 workers trapped since November 12, the government is employing both private and public agencies in the ongoing rescue efforts. Prime Minister's Principal Secretary PK Mishra, Home Secretary Ajay K Bhalla, and Uttarakhand Chief Secretary S S Sandhu have also actively monitored the rescue operations.
Updating on the progress, Hasnain highlighted that around 32 metres of vertical drilling had been accomplished, and the broken blades of the auger machine were fully retrieved.
"A yellow alert is there from IMD, which means light rains can occur. But there is no possibility that work will be hindered because of this," he assured, as quoted by PTI. Backup communications have been established, and food and medicine are regularly supplied to the trapped workers.
Vishal Chauhan, Member, NHAI informed that there will be a team of six members who will work in groups of three. There are sensors to monitor movement inside the earth, news agency ANI reported.
National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) Managing Director Mahmood Ahmad provided an update, stating that the vertical drilling work is expected to be completed by November 30. Addressing a press conference, Ahmad mentioned that around 30 meters of drilling have been completed, and additional machines have been brought in for the operation. The current machine can drill 40-45 meters, and two more machines from SJVNL have been deployed, with a changeover anticipated by the end of the month.
Ahmad emphasised that multiple options are being explored simultaneously for the rescue operation. "We are working on multiple options simultaneously. We should not see this as vertical drilling vs horizontal drilling. Our aim is to rescue the men," he said, as per ANI.
Earlier today, prayers were offered at the main entrance of the tunnel as rescue operations continued.
Principal Secretary To PM Visits Uttarkashi Tunnel Site
Neeraj Khairwal, Secretary of the Uttarakhand Government, reported that Principal Secretary to Prime Minister's Office (PMO) PK Mishra instructed monitoring the health of the trapped workers regularly. "Safety and security are important. He said that care should be taken of people stranded inside. Their health should be monitored," Khairwal emphasised, as quoted by ANI.
A delegation led by Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, Pramod Kumar Mishra, inspected the ongoing rescue efforts on the 16th day of operations. Union Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla and Uttarakhand Chief Secretary SS Sandhu joined Mishra in inspecting the work inside the tunnel. Mishra enquired about the food items sent to the trapped workers and spoke to both the workers and their families.
Micro-tunnelling expert Chris Cooper reported earlier that all debris from the auger machine had been removed, and manual drilling to reach the trapped labourers was set to begin in a few hours. The tunnel collapse occurred on November 12, trapping the workers inside the under-construction structure.
Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami will visit the Silkyara tunnel site again today to assess the latest situation.