Uttarkashi tunnel collapse: PM Modi assesses rescue operation, says ‘workers will be evacuated safely’
During the interaction with Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, Prime Minister Modi emphasized that the workers will be evacuated safely with mutual coordination between central and government agencies.
Uttarkashi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday took stock of the rescue operation of the Uttarkashi tunnel collapse incident during a telephonic conversation with Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. Prime Minister Modi assured that all necessary rescue equipment and resources will be arranged by the central government. Prime Minister Modi’s statement comes as 41 workers have been stuck in the Silkyara Tunnel since November 12 after a section of the tunnel collapsed.
In a statement, the CMO of Uttarakhand said, “Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a telephonic conversation with Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami. The Prime Minister gathered information about the ongoing relief and rescue operations of the workers trapped in the Silkyara Tunnel in Uttarkashi. Prime Minister Modi said that necessary rescue equipment and resources will be provided by the central government.”
Prime Minister Modi also emphasized that the workers will be evacuated safely with mutual coordination between central and government agencies. PM Modi said, “It is necessary to maintain the morale of the stranded workers.”
Early this morning, heavy machinery was seen arriving at the collapsed Silkyara Tunnel on the Brahmakhal-Yamunotri National Highway, which had collapsed in the early hours of November 12.
The Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) is all set to commence work on a vertical pipeline to supply essential items facilitated by the completed access road by the Border Roads Organization in just one day.
Sutlej Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited (SJVNL) is also all set for vertical drilling, for which equipment was mobilized from Gujarat and Odisha via railways as the 75 tonne equipment could not be airlifted.
Secretary, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways Anurag Jain had on Sunday said that there was a five-point action plan to rescue the trapped workers.
National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHDCL), Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam (SJVNL), Tehri Hydro Development Corporation Limited (THDC) and Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) have been allotted one option each The Border Roads Organization (BRO) and the Construction Department of the Indian Army also assisted in the rescue operation.
The plan includes drilling work from three sides of the tunnel. A vertical drilling operation will take place from the top of the hill under which the workers are trapped. Efforts will also continue to drill horizontally through the rubble blocking the tunnel on the Silkyara side. An operation to bore a small tunnel from the Barkot side will also commence.
Neeraj Khanna, secretary of Nodal, while speaking on the rescue operation, said that instructions have been issued to the rescue team to complete the rescue operation of the workers trapped in the tunnel at the earliest.
Former Advisor to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) Bhaskar Khulbe and Deputy Secretary to the Prime Minister’s Office Mangesh Ghildiyal also issued strict instructions to the rescue team.
Bhasker Khulbe, Deputy Secretary Mangesh Ghildiyal and Secretary Disaster Management Ranjeet Sinha have left for Dehradun, according to Secretary Nodal.
The National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation (NHIDCL) is currently working on a 6-inch food supply pipeline after drilling 39 meters out of the 60-metre target, an official statement said on Sunday.
Former Adviser to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) Bhaskar Khulbe and PMO Deputy Secretary Mangesh Ghildiyal on Sunday appealed to all concerned departments involved in the rescue operation.
Meanwhile, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami reached the spot to assess the ongoing rescue and relief operation.
On November 12, it was reported that a collapse occurred in the under-construction tunnel from Silkyara to Barkot due to mud falling into the 60-meter stretch on the Silkyara side of the tunnel.
Following the incident, the state government and the central government immediately mobilized resources for the rescue of the 41 trapped workers.
Earlier in the rescue operation, an attempt was made to lay a 900mm pipe through the mud, which expert advice suggested was the quickest solution. However, on November 17, this option was abandoned as ground movements made the structure unsafe, in favor of exploring alternative strategies to expedite the rescue mission.
(With inputs from ANI)