Uttarakhand: Silkyara Tunnel Rescue Operation in full swing, officials said in press briefing, we are moving towards the target

A press briefing was held at the Temporary Media Centre, Silkyara on Tuesday regarding the Silkyara Tunnel Rescue Operation. During this, MD (NHIDCL) Mahmood Ahmed said that the rescue operation is being conducted rapidly in Silkyara Tunnel. Also, food items and medicines are being delivered through 6-inch pipeline. People trapped in the tunnel have a safe area of 2 kilometers.

MD (NHIDCL) Mahmood Ahmed said that there has been communication with the workers trapped in the tunnel and their condition has been ascertained through video. The 900 mm pipe was pushed 22 meters inside the tunnel. Drilling was stopped after encountering some obstacles. At present, 800 mm pipe is being pushed inside the 900 mm pipe by telescopic method and drilling will be started again with the auger machine. He said that all the time is very important for all the working employees, officers and engineers.

MD (NHIDCL) Mahmood Ahmed said that THDC has also started construction of rescue tunnel from Barkot end, in which two blasts have already been done, due to which a drift of 6.4 meters has been created.

MD (NHIDCL) Mahmood Ahmed said that the work of mobilization of machines for vertical drilling from above the tunnel is being done. Drilling will start soon. The rescue operation is being carried forward at a rapid pace with the continuous cooperation of the Central and State Governments and mutual coordination between all the agencies.

Secretary, Uttarakhand Government, Dr. Neeraj Khairwal said that it is our priority to evacuate all the people safely. He said that all the agencies are working 24 hours. All the work is being done at a fast pace. All the institutions/agencies involved in the rescue operation are working with mutual coordination.

During this, District Magistrate Abhishek Ruhela, Director General Information Banshidhar Tiwari, NHAIDCL Director Anshumanish Khalkho, Superintendent of Police Arpan Yaduvanshi, and others were present.

Drilling completed up to 39 meters in the tunnel, rescue operation expected to end by night, PM calls Dhami and takes update

41 workers trapped in the accident that took place in the under construction tunnel of Uttarkashi on the day of Diwali have not been rescued yet. Today is the 11th day of rescue. Former advisor to the Government of India, Bhaskar Khulbe said that the drilling work in the tunnel is going on at a fast pace. I want to meet the workers face to face in the next 15 hours. Hopefully this will happen. Drilling has been done up to 39 meters with the auger machine in the Silkyara tunnel. A total of 57 to 60 meters of drilling is to be done. Officials say that if everything goes well, the rescue operation is expected to end by tonight. The ongoing rescue operation to rescue 41 laborers trapped in the Uttarkashi tunnel accident is now at its last stop. Bhaskar Khulbe, who arrived to inspect the relief and rescue operations in Silkyara, has given hopeful signs. He said that the next 15 hours will be important. The implication of this comment is being drawn that during this period the workers will be evacuated safely by providing escape tunnel. At present, drilling of 39 meters with the auger is said to be completed.

PM Modi took information about the rescue operation: CM Dhami

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said that PM Modi took information on the matter. He said that the respected Prime Minister spoke on the phone today and took information about the supply of food, medicines and other essential items to the workers trapped in the tunnel under construction in Silkyara, Uttarkashi and the ongoing rescue operations to get them out safely.

Drilling work continued throughout the night

Drilling work continued throughout the night on Tuesday to rescue the workers trapped in the Silkyara tunnel. Six 800 mm pipes have been laid through the auger machine. Drilling has been done up to 36 meters. Welding work of the seventh pipe is going on. Drilling is moving in a positive direction. Now a distance of about 20 to 22 meters is left in the tunnel. The workers are about 56 meters inside. In such a situation, today is an important day for the rescue operation.