Contact Established, 1st Visuals Out As Experts At Work To Rescue Trapped 41 In Uttarakhand: IN PICS

Uttarakhand Tunnel Rescue: Authorities are at work in Uttarkashi devising strategies and putting in all efforts to take out the trapped labourers from the collapsed tunnel.

Rescue work underway at Uttarkashi collapsed tunnel site in Uttarakhand.

First visuals of trapped workers from inside Uttarkashi tunnel in Uttarkhand emerged on Tuesday after rescue teams made it possible for an endoscopic flexi camera to reach them. (Image Credit: PTI)

The family members of the workers trapped in the Silkyara tunnel, Uttarkashi interacted with them through the pipeline inserted inside the tunnel. Brother of Biswajit Kumar, one of workers who is stuck inside the collapsed tunnel, said, "I have been talking to him everyday. Today also I talked via the big pipe which was inserted. They all are safe inside." (Image Credit: PTI)

Meanwhile, when asked if the Uttarakhand tunnel incident will be investigated in the time to come, CM Pushkar Singh Dhami said, "Action will definitely be taken against all suspicions but right now the priority is for all workers to come out safely..." (Image Credit: PTI)

The Chief Minister said that all agencies, engineers, technicians and experts are working on it. "With their hard work, food is now being sent through the six-inch pipeline. This is definitely encouraging for us. We pray to God for the rescue operation to conclude at the earliest and for all our workers to come out safely. PM is collecting details every day and providing all possible help to us. I gave all the details to the PM today..." he added. (Image Credit: PTI)

Dhami also informed that PM Narendra Modi called again on Tuesday and took information about the relief and rescue operations of the workers trapped in the tunnel under. "On this occasion, the Honorable Prime Minister was informed about the successful construction of a 6-inch diameter pipeline across the debris and the delivery of food and other essential items to the workers through it," he said in a post on X. (Image Credit: PTI)

He said that the also informed the Prime Minister about the conversation with labor brothers with the help of endoscopic flexi camera and their efficiency. "The Prime Minister also said that it is our top priority to evacuate all the labor brothers safely," the CM further said. (Image Credit: PTI)

Speaking of the ongoing operation, international tunneling expert, Professor Arnold Dix said, "Works are being done to get the new 6-inch lifeline pipe fully functioning. The works are being done for the augering of the evacuation tunnel, which is being drilled as well. The works are also being done to create safe places within the tunnel. This is still an extremely dangerous environment, so we're making it safe for the rescuers in there as well." (Image Credit: PTI)

The expert added that there are technical issues but these will be there till the men are rescued. "My next job is to go up on top of the mountain, to the side of the mountain, back of the mountain and check the progress there as well. The American auger machine is not working right now, it's in preparation...Augering requires very precise engineering because if we get it wrong, it could cause an avalanche..." he said. (Image Credit: PTI)

Talking about the time by which the workers could be taken out, the pofessor said, "From my point of view, these men...we've seen them, they are alive, they are well. All the agencies are working together, the whole world is here. Those 41 men are coming home...exactly when? Not sure. Sometime between Diwali and Christman they are coming out and I am here to help." (Image Credit: PTI)

Meanwhile, on Tuesday, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting issued an advisory to television channels to refrain from sensationalising the ongoing rescue operation. "Various government agencies are working tirelessly for the safe evacuation of 41 workers. The operation underway around the tunnel is of an extremely sensitive nature involving saving so many lives. Telecast of video footage and other pictures relating to the operations by the TV channels especially by placing cameras and other equipment at close proximity to the rescue operations site has the potential to adversely affect the ongoing operations," the ministry said. (Image Credit: PTI)