Rescue efforts in the Uttarkashi tunnel hit a snag: Drill breaks down, teams weigh alternative options
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami reached Uttarkashi on Saturday to take stock of the ongoing rescue operation underway at the Silkyara Tunnel. Speaking to the media on Saturday, Dhami said Prime Minister Narendra Modi is very sensitive to the workers who are stuck.
Rescue in Uttarkashi Tunnel: Rescue efforts at the collapsed Silkyara tunnel in Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand, have met a setback due to the breakdown of the American Auger machine. The machine’s repeated failure has caused significant delays in the rescue operation, prompting teams to consider alternative methods such as manual drilling and vertical drilling.
The Auger machine, initially used as a primary tool for digging through the rubble, has repeatedly jammed, hampering the progress of the rescue effort. This has forced teams to explore other options, including manual drilling, which involves manually clearing the debris using hand tools. Moreover, vertical drilling is considered as a possible method to create a vertical shaft for retrieving the trapped workers.
The Chief Minister of Uttarakhand takes stock of the ongoing rescue operation
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami reached Uttarkashi on Saturday to take stock of the ongoing rescue operation underway at the Silkyara Tunnel. Speaking to the media on Saturday, Dhami said Prime Minister Narendra Modi is very sensitive to the workers trapped in the Silkyara Tunnel and is collecting detailed information about the welfare of the workers every day. Expressing hope for a successful rescue of the trapped workers, Dhami said: “We will soon manage to evacuate the worker brothers safely.”
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi is very sensitive to the workers trapped in the Silkyara-Uttarkashi Tunnel. The Prime Minister receives detailed information every day about the welfare of the workers and the ongoing relief and rescue operations in the tunnel. Central agencies, government administrations and teams of international experts are working on all options; we will soon manage to evacuate the worker brothers safely,” wrote CM Pushkar Singh Dhami on X.
Team of Sutlej Jal Vidyut Nigam (SJVN) now on standby mode
A team of Sutlej Jal Vidyut Nigam (SJVN) is now on standby mode to drill vertically from the top of the Silkyara-Barkot tunnel to rescue the 41 workers trapped in the under-construction tunnel for the past 14 days. This happens as the heavy auger machine repeatedly hits obstacles as it drills through the rubble. Rescue efforts were halted on Friday evening as the drill encountered a new obstacle shortly after drilling resumed.
The twelve-member team from SJVN Limited is waiting for the signal to start the vertical drilling process. an obstacle on Friday evening. The workers are trapped in an area 8.5 meters high and 2 km long in the constructed tunnel section. This 2-kilometer section of the tunnel has been completed, including concrete work that will ensure worker safety.
(With input from agencies)
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