Uttarakhand Tunnel Rescue: Authorities are preparing for the final phase of efforts to bring out the 41 trapped labourers stuck inside the collapsed tunnel in Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand since November 12 as the Platform for the Auger Machine is being strengthened using an accelerating agent for a rapid hardening of concrete. The auger machine on Thursday encountered "difficulties" for the third time, the last being just hours after drilling resumed to evacuate trapped workers, said International expert Arnold Dix.


PM Narendra Modi on Friday dialed CM Pushkar Singh Dhami to take stock of the ground situation and condition of the labourers, said the Department of Information and Public Relations Uttarakhand Government. Around 15 metres of distance into the tunnel remains to be drilled for the evacuation of the workers, but the rescue appears unlikely today.


Member of the National Disaster Management Authority, Lt General Syed Ata Hasnain (Retd.) told news agency PTI that the rescue efforts are expected to be in a "much better position tomorrow morning".



Top Developments On Rescue Operation



  • PM Narendra Modi spoke to CM Dhami on the phone and gave some important instructions. The PM asked Dhami to have the health of the labourers checked and if necessary, proper arrangements should be made to send them to the hospital. PM Modi also inquired about the condition of the workers trapped inside the tunnel and the food and daily routine items provided to them. Along with this, information was also taken about the condition and safety of the personnel engaged in relief and rescue work.



  • Union Minister Gen (R) VK Singh has reached the Silkyara tunnel site to oversee the ongoing operation to rescue 41 workers trapped inside.



  • Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has been camping at Matli since Thursday to monitor the rescue operations. To facilitate him in performing his duties, a temporary camp of the chief minister's office has been set up there.



  • On Friday, the NDRF conducted a rehearsal of taking its wheeled stretchers through the chute being prepared to rescue the workers. An NDRF personnel went through the passage pushing a wheeled stretcher tied to a rope at the end of the tunnel and was pulled back up after completing the stretch.


  • According to PTI, a passage has been made using 800 mm diameter steel pipes through the rubble at the tunnel to take out the workers.


  • Former advisor to PMO, Bhaskar Khulbe, who is at the spot, said, "We hope that we will be able to rescue them (workers) by today evening." Till now, rescuers have drilled up to 46.8 meters in the tunnel and around 16 metres more drilling is required for them to reach the labourers.


  • The brother of a trapped worker, Haridwar Sharma said he talked to his brother inside the tunnel and the latter confirmed they are all okay. "My younger brother, Sushil Sharma, is inside. I had a conversation with him this morning around 8 am... Everyone is fine inside, and there are facilities. I asked him if he was facing any difficulties, and he said that there were no difficulties. They are all just hoping to come out soon. Everything is available there... There is a facility for bathing too... I said that you would surely get out..." he said.


  • The authorities and experts meanwhile strengthened a platform for the Auger machine using an accelerating agent for the rapid hardening of concrete. A welder’s team has gone inside the pipe to cut the bent pipe, which is underway. Auger reassembly will start shortly thereafter.


  • Member of the National Disaster Management Authority, Lt General Syed Ata Hasnain (Retd.) informed that during use of ground penetrating radar, it has been detected that there is no obstacle in the next 5 meters on the path. "We continue to use this to detect obstacles, if any," he said, as per ANI.



    About 15 metres is still to be covered to reach trapped workers in the Silkyara tunnel, the NDMA informed adding that Drilling by auger machine is likely to start soon, PTI reported.


  • For the safe evacuation of the workers, priests at the Mahakaleshwar temple in Ujjain offered special prayers on Friday.