Uttarakhand Tunnel Rescue HIGHLIGHTS: Drilling & Augering Comes To Halt, Other Options Being Considered
Uttarakhand Tunnel Rescue Ops HIGHLIGHTS: Follow this space for all latest updates on rescue operation of 41 workers trapped inside Silkyara tunnel in Uttarkashi.
Background
Uttarakhand Tunnel Rescue Ops HIGHLIGHTS: The rescue operations to safely evacuate the 41 workers trapped after a part of an under-construction tunnel collapsed in Uttarakhand's Uttarkashi entered the 12th day on Thursday.
On Thursday evening, International expert Arnold Dix said the auger machine drilling through the rubble of the collapsed Silkyara tunnel in Uttarakhand is experiencing “some difficulties” again. The remark came just hours after drilling to rescue 41 trapped workers resumed after a six-hour delay caused by an iron girdle encountered by the American machine on Wednesday night.
Drilling had previously been halted from Friday afternoon to Tuesday night due to a mechanical issue. "Right now the auger machine is experiencing some difficulties, for the third time," Dix told the Press Trust of India. "We've seen this before," he recalled, as per PTI report.
He did not elaborate on the nature of the "difficulties" this time, and it was not immediately clear whether this would cause a significant delay in the rescue operation, which is now in its 12th day.
However, he remained optimistic about the rescue effort's success. He stated that the work was being done cautiously, as it should be.
Workers trapped for 12 days in Uttarakhand's Silkyara tunnel are expected to be rescued within the next few hours or by tomorrow, according to National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) member Lt Gen (retd) Syed Ata Hasnain on Thursday evening.
The drilling operation to extract 41 trapped workers ran into difficulties, forcing a temporary halt to rescue efforts.
To rescue the workers, the government has implemented a five-pronged action plan, with five agencies – Oil and Natural Gas Corporation, Sutluj Jal Vidyut Nigam, Rail Vikas Nigam, National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation, and Tehri Hydro Development Corporation – assigned specific responsibilities, working collaboratively with occasional task adjustments for operational efficiency.
The THDC has begun building a rescue tunnel from the Barkot end, with four blasts already completed, resulting in a 9.10-metre drift. Attempts are being made to conduct three blasts per day.
Uttarakhand Tunnel Rescue Live: CPI MP Binoy Viswam Urges PM Modi For Eco-Conscious Development, Worker Safety
CPI Rajya Sabha MP Binoy Viswam has penned a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, drawing attention to the collapse of the under-construction Silkyara-Barkot tunnel, which has left 41 workers trapped.
CPI Rajya Sabha MP Binoy Viswam has written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding the collapse of the under-construction Silkyara-Barkot tunnel and 41 workers being trapped inside. The CPI MP urged the Prime Minister to ensure developmental activities are undertaken… pic.twitter.com/m0XTZb0Nun
— ANI (@ANI) November 25, 2023
Uttarakhand Tunnel Rescue Live: Landline Connection Initiated For Trapped Workers
In the ongoing rescue efforts at the Uttarkashi tunnel in Uttarakhand, a glimmer of connectivity emerges as Kundan, an employee of BSNL, shares that, "On the instructions of the government, a landline facility is being made available here."
#WATCH | Uttarkashi (Uttarakhand) tunnel rescue: Kundan, an employee of BSNL says, "On the instructions of the government, a landline facility is being made available here. Efforts are underway to lay wires for that purpose. The landline (phone) will be sent to the workers… pic.twitter.com/7Ol419bxEZ
— ANI (@ANI) November 25, 2023
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