New Delhi. The situation has become serious with 41 laborers trapped in the Silkyara Tunnel of Uttarakhand for the 13th consecutive day. A rescue operation fraught with significant challenges took a turn when a video emerged on Tuesday, showing the first signs of hope for the trapped workers and their worried families. The provision of vegetarian food, including piped rice, cheese with peas and flatbread for dinner, was not only for sustenance but also to boost the morale of those awaiting rescue.
Fresh rescue efforts amid ongoing conflict
Authorities, in their relentless effort to rescue the workers, have resumed the stalled work of cutting the debris to pave the way for their safe evacuation. Earlier, essential supplies like fruits like apples, oranges, seasonal fruits as well as vital medicines were sent to the people trapped inside the tunnel through a six-inch wide pipe.
At present, the rescue operation is going on at a fast pace to rescue 41 labourers. However, officials have warned that the rescue operation may take longer to fully execute. As part of the rescue plan in Uttarkashi, if the pipes are damaged due to debris, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) aims to rescue 41 stranded laborers using wheel-stretchers attached with ropes. A senior officer confirmed this on Thursday, stressing the full preparedness of the force for the evacuation process.
Tunnel Safety Assessment
According to former PMO advisor Bhaskar Kulbe, “The situation has improved significantly. Last night, we had two jobs. First, the upgrade of the machine platform. Ground penetration radar conducted by a personnel company indicated no obstruction for the next 5 metres.” This means that our drilling should proceed smoothly. “While clearing the debris, we found two broken pipes.”
DRDO’s machinery will give updates about the situation up to the next 20 meters through scanning. After this report the drilling process will start. Officials denied any technical fault in the auger machine and said the target was about 7 to 9 meters away. They hope to complete the rescue operation by the end of today. The American auger machine involved in drilling in the Uttarkashi tunnel has resolved its rear platform issue, leading to smooth further operations. The DRDO team will mainly use mapping cameras to scan the situation beyond the 48 meter mark (where the pipeline has been inserted), so that any obstacles can be assessed before starting further drilling operations.