Dry fruits and crisps… what are 41 laborers trapped in the tunnel of Uttarkashi for 9 days eating? Is there light inside…!
This is the 9th day of the rescue operation being conducted to rescue 41 laborers trapped due to tunnel collapse in Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand. The responsibility of the rescue operation is with 5 agencies. These agencies have made 5 plans to evacuate the workers. On the other hand, the Central Government has sought information from all the agencies about the steps taken by them so far.
Food items are being continuously supplied to the workers. Multivitamins, anti-depressants along with dry fruits and crisps are being sent to these workers. So that these workers remain safe in the tunnel. All this is being sent to the workers through a four-inch pipe. Apart from this, electricity is on in the tunnel, so it is fortunate that there is light in the tunnel where the workers are trapped. Apart from this, there is also a pipeline, through which the workers are also getting water.
In fact, the Silkyara Tunnel, located at a distance of about 30 kilometers from the Uttarkashi district headquarters, is part of the Central Government’s ambitious Chardham ‘All Weather Road’ (a road that remains open for traffic in all weather) project. This tunnel being built on Brahmakhal-Yamunotri National Highway is 4.5 kilometers long. On November 12, a part of the tunnel collapsed. Due to this the workers got trapped inside the tunnel. Rescue operation is going on for 9 days to free them. But no significant success has been achieved so far.
Road, Transport and Highways Secretary Anurag Jain said that multivitamins, anti-depressant medicines and dry fruits are being sent to the workers from the very first day. He told that there is water and electricity in two kilometers inside the tunnel. Earlier, the central government had held a high-level meeting on Saturday, in which five options to save the workers were discussed with various agencies. NHIDCL (National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited), ONGC (Oil and Natural Gas Corporation), SJVNL (Sutlej Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited), THDC and RVNL have been given the responsibility of this rescue operation. Apart from this, BRO and the construction branch of the Indian Army are also helping in the rescue operation.
Professor Arnold Dix, President of International Tunneling Underground Space, reached Silkyara Tunnel. He also offered prayers in a temple built at the main entrance of the tunnel. Arnold Dix said, ‘A lot of work has been done since yesterday. It is very important that we save them (workers). We are going to take those people out. So far great work is being done. Our entire team is here and we will find a solution and get them out.
PM Modi talked to CM
On the other hand, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami on phone. The PM took information about the ongoing relief and rescue operations for the workers trapped in the Silkyara tunnel in Uttarkashi. PM Modi said that necessary rescue equipment and all possible help is being provided by the Central Government. He said, the workers will be evacuated safely with mutual coordination between the central and state agencies. There is a need to maintain the morale of the stranded workers.
Earlier, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said, our priority is to save his life. The work is going on war footing. We are trying to send more food, water and oxygen through 6 inch pipes. Work of 42 meters has been done and will reach them soon. Till now only cashews, pistachios and dry fruits are being sent. Now we can send bread, vegetables and other food items through 6 inch pipe.
American auger drill machine malfunctioned
The rescue team is trying to insert 800-mm and 900-mm diameter mild steel pipes through the debris inside the tunnel using an American auger drill machine. However, due to a fault in the machine, it has been closed. Now rescue teams are working on more options.
