Uttarakhand: Preparations for Uttarkashi tunnel rescue, 41 bed hospital, 40 ambulances, gas masks, stretchers, team of 15 doctors, deployment of helicopter… These preparations were made before the rescue

Today is the 12th day of the relief and rescue operations being carried out to save the workers trapped in the Silkyara tunnel of Uttarkashi. During late night drilling, iron bars blocked the way in front of the machine, which was tried to be cut by using a special cutter and it Gas cutter was also used for this. After this the bit of the auger machine got damaged.

To repair the bit of the auger machine, the machine was brought by helicopter. In such a situation, the rescue operation is now in its final stages and in view of this, ambulances have also been kept ready and NDRF team is also present on the spot. For the rescue operation, NDRF is preparing additional stretchers in which bearings and wheels are being installed so that the workers do not have to crawl in the long pipe but can be pulled out by wheeled stretchers.

40 ambulances deployed

All medical aid machines, from oxygen cylinders, masks, stretchers to BP equipment, are present at the Silkyara tunnel site. NDRF rescue workers are going inside with gas masks and stretchers. There are many types of equipment in hands which also includes cutter. As soon as the pipe crosses the debris, NDRF personnel will first enter the pipe and go towards the workers. 12 ambulances have been kept on standby here. Ambulance staff member Harish Prasad said, “All arrangements have been made. Our 40 ambulances will be stationed here which are being sent to Dehradun, Haridwar and Tehri. A team of 15 doctors including a chest specialist has been deployed outside the tunnel.

NDRF took stretchers with special wheels

NDRF team is already present at the spot and is engaged in rescue and relief operations. As soon as the pipe goes inside the tunnel, NDRF personnel will take out the 41 laborers trapped in the tunnel. Preparations for first aid outside the tunnel have also been intensified. Eight beds have been set up in a temporary hospital outside the tunnel.

The NDRF team has taken special wheeled stretchers fitted with wheels and bearings to take the workers out of the tunnel. It is being told that the workers will be unable to walk up to 60 meters due to their physical condition. Therefore this step has been taken. The team has also taken a special oxygen pack mask into the tunnel.

41 bed hospital ready

After taking the workers out of the tunnel, they will be immediately taken to the Community Health Center of Chinyalisaur by ambulance for medical examination and care. A special ward of 41 beds has been prepared in Chinyalisaur. A team of doctors has been deployed here who will check the health of the workers and if needed, they can be sent to another place for higher treatment. Officials said that along with all the hospitals of the district, AIIMS, Rishikesh have also been put on alert.

Helicopter also ready

Helicopters will also be deployed in Chinyalisaur where a special hospital has been prepared for the workers. If any of the 41 laborers trapped inside the tunnel needs airlift due to health reasons, then they will be taken to another hospital.

Let us tell you that with the help of endoscopic camera sent through the new six-inch pipeline, the first picture and video of the trapped workers was revealed early on Tuesday. Adequate supply of food items like roti, vegetables, khichdi, porridge, oranges and bananas is being supplied through another pipe. The iron structure in the tunnel had become a hindrance in the rescue operation. For this reason the campaign was delayed. To remove this iron structure, gas cutter was used by NDRF and it was cut and removed.

The accident happened on 12th November

Let us tell you that 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’ 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 12 days to free them. 41 laborers from 8 states are trapped in Silkyara Tunnel in Uttarkashi. In this, 2 laborers from Uttarakhand, 1 from Himachal Pradesh, 8 from UP, 5 from Bihar, 3 from West Bengal, 2 from Assam, 15 from Jharkhand and 5 from Odisha are trapped.