Uttarkashi tunnel escape plan sees progress overnight but debris halts drilling
Rescue teams in Uttarkashi made significant headway overnight in the ongoing operation to free 40 workers trapped inside the Silkyara Tunnel.
With the second and third pipes, each with a diameter of 900 mm and a length of 6 meters, now fully inserted into the debris.
The Silkyara Control Room of the Emergency Operation Center said that as of 6 AM on Friday, the advanced auger drilling machine has drilled through 21 metres of the accumulated debris within the tunnel. However, the presence of a hard substance within the debris temporarily halted the drilling process, adding to the complexity of the operation.
The high-performance auger drilling machine, weighing 24 tons, was brought in to accelerate the rescue efforts after a landslide caused the collapse of the under-construction tunnel. Officials estimate that drilling will need to continue for approximately 45 to 60 metres to reach the trapped workers. The machine boasts an impressive penetration rate of 5 metres per hour, which is a significant increase from the previous machine’s capacity.
Rescue operations, now in their sixth day, have been marked by continuous communication with the trapped workers to monitor their mental health and provide reassurance. The trapped workers have been receiving food, water, and oxygen through pipes, and are in contact with rescuers via walkie-talkies. A medical facility has been established near the tunnel, and nearby hospitals are on standby.
The advanced drilling equipment was introduced following setbacks, including a landslide and the failure of a previous drill machine. The Indian Air Force has played a crucial role in the operation, airlifting the new drilling machine to the site.
Experts from Norway and Thailand, known for their experience in similar rescue situations, have been consulted to navigate the fragile mountain terrain effectively.
Union Minister VK Singh, who visited the site, expressed optimism about the rescue efforts, stating that the priority is to save all the trapped individuals. “All options are being explored. The safety of workers is paramount. We are taking opinions from international organisations,” he said.
Professor Arnold Dix, President of the International Tunnelling and Underground Space Association, told India Today TV that the organisation was keeping a close eye on the rescue efforts and was willing to lend all possible assistance.
“If the rescue is not affected within the next hours, I will be deploying to India to offer all assistance on behalf of all our member nations. India is one of the world’s leading tunneling nations. We are offering every assistance to India. This is an extremely serious matter, 40 lives are in great peril,” he said.