New Delhi. 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.