Uttarakhand tunnel collapse: Army veteran explains complexity of rescue operation

As the rescue work enters the final stretch in Uttarkhashi’s Silkyara tunnel, where as many as 41 workers have been trapped for the last 12 days.

India Today TV conducted a detailed interview with experts, shedding light on the progress and challenges faced in the operation. As the nation anxiously awaits the rescue of the trapped workers, retired Lieutenant General of the Indian Army, Syed Ata Hasnain, highlighted the complexity of the task at hand.

He emphasised the unpredictable nature of the Himalayan geology, underscoring the hurdles faced during the operation that set them back by almost five days. Speaking to India Today TV’s News Director, Rahul Kanwal, Lt. Gen Hasnain said that currently, the rescue teams are in a better position than yesterday.

“We are far better off than we were yesterday,” the former GOC 15 Corps said while speaking to Rahul Kanwal.

“I would always place a caution. The job being done is hugely technological. It is being wonderfully done with the equipment fabricated, improvised, everything. But the geology of the Himalayan region is not a geology with which you can have any predictions. You know, the kind of obstacles we came across on the 16th, 17th of November, those kind of obstacles put us off by almost five days. So, therefore, I will hold my horses, but I will definitely say we are far better off than we were yesterday, General Hasnain said.

ON NDRF’S RESCUE PLAN
Speaking on the NDRF’s plan to rescue the trapped workers as the 800 mm diameter steel pipes reached near them, Lt. Gen Hasnain said that the ideal situation would be the workers crawling out of the tunnel through that pipe.

However, he added, since the workers have been trapped in the for 12 days, their energy levels could be low and in that case, the NDRF personnel could go inside and bring them out.

“If the workers have sufficient strength, after 11 days, to be able to crawl out themselves, then that would be the ideal option. But in case some difficulties are encountered there, there is a psychosocial effect of claustrophobia, etc., which could be possible, if not necessary. Then, in that case, they (NDRF) are also catering for stretchers,” Lt. Gen Hasnain said.

“Now this is an 800mm (diameter pipe), starting with a 900 mm bore of the pipeline which has been made, reduced down to approximately 800mm, which is about 80cm. I have been reassured and I have full faith in the NDRF that they will be able to do it. They are very, very brave jawans, and will be able to go in and bring out those people who cannot come out on their own. Give them some kind of motivation, morale, and if necessary, place them on stretchers and pull them out.” he added.

On being asked about the added security measures adopted while putting in the new pipe to evacuate the workers, Lt. Gen Hasnain highlighted that a certain amount of cladding has been added to avoid the possibility of collapse of the pipe.

He further added that engineers from several government departments and the Indian Army have been roped in to enhance the rescue operations.

“There is a certain amount of cladding which is going on simultaneously. But obviously, the Ministry of Road and Transport and Highways has their engineers ensuring this. The Indian Army engineers are also there and assisting them with this. I think there’s a fair possibility that the pipe which has gone inside is reasonably robust, although the weight of all that debris is on it. There’s no doubt about it. And that’s the reason why I’m insisting that the faster we come out from there, the better it is,” he said.

UTTARKASHI TUNNEL RESCUE OPERATION

Ambulances were on standby and a special ward at a local health centre kept ready as a multi-agency effort to rescue 41 men trapped in the Silkyara tunnel appeared close to success on Wednesday evening.

A helicopter was also expected to be earmarked for the operation. A special ward to accommodate all evacuated workers was readied at the community health centre in Chinyalisaur.

In addition, all hospitals in the district as well as AIIMS, Rishikesh are on alert.