Uttarkashi Rescue Day 7: BRO To Drill Vertical Hole From Hill Top Amid Worries About Trapped 41

Uttarkashi Rescue Day 7: Preparations began to drill a vertical hole from the hill's top where 41 workers are trapped inside a collapsed tunnel in Uttarkashi. Desperation mounts for families waiting outside.

Security personnel and others at the under-construction tunnel between Silkyara and Dandalgaon on the Brahmakhal-Yamunotri national highway, days after a portion of the tunnel collapsed trapping several workers inside, in Uttarkashi district, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023.

Source : PTI

With the clock ticking, officials have launched efforts to drill a vertical hole from the top of the hill under which 41 workers have been trapped inside a collapsed tunnel for a harrowing seven days. The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) is working round the clock to create an alternative route to the under-construction Silkyara tunnel, aiming to resume the rescue mission, news agency PTI reported. Desperation mounts for families waiting outside, after rescue operations were suspended on Friday due to a snag in the drilling machine.

• The rescue team began the operation to insert a pipe inside the tunnel. The operation to insert the six-inch diameter pipe has started.
  
  
  
  
  
• A high-performance drilling machine, brought from Indore, is being assembled to pierce through the rubble and restart drilling for an escape passage.
  
  Major Naman Narula from BRO expressed optimism, stating, "This track is about 1,000-1,100 metres long. Simultaneously, we are also conducting a survey. As per our calculations, the track should be ready by tomorrow afternoon."
  
  
• Officials are considering multiple options, including making a vertical track from the top of the tunnel and drilling holes for essential items and potential evacuation. Four machines are currently deployed, with four more on the way, PTI reported.
  
  
• Officials, including a team from the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), are working on five rescue plans simultaneously. These include drilling from both ends, vertical drilling from the top of the tunnel, and perpendicular drilling.
  
  
• Families of trapped workers express increasing despair as the rescue operation remains suspended since Friday due to technical issues. Their wait continues as trapped workers are reportedly running short of food and water.
  
  Worker Gabbar Singh Negi's family shared their despair, stating, "Rescue work in the tunnel has come to a halt. Those trapped are also short of food and water. We have come to the end of our patience", as quoted by PTI.
  
  Haridwar Sharma, whose brother is among the trapped, said "The health condition of the men is worsening, and the family back home getting increasingly panicky". "All we are getting are assurances. It has been nearly a week," he added.
  
  
• The ONGC, RVNL, Satluj Jal Vikas Nigam Ltd, BRO, and the state PWD are coordinating efforts to establish access to the trapped workers. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed hope, stating, "The state-of-the-art machines will be successful in rescuing the labourers."

• Rescue operations stalled on Friday due to a cracking sound heard during pipe positioning, prompting suspension amid fears of further collapse. The number of trapped workers was revised from 40 to 41. Deepak Kumar from Bihar was identified as the 41st person stuck in the tunnel.

The Silkyara tunnel, part of the Char Dham all-weather road project, collapsed last Sunday, causing the ongoing crisis. The tunnel is under construction by the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL).