Rescue operations continue unabated in collapsed Silkyara Tunnel in Uttarkashi

Intensive efforts are underway to rescue 41 workers who are trapped in the collapsed Silkyara Tunnel in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand. Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a telephonic conversation with Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami to assess the ongoing relief and rescue operations. Emphasizing the top priority of ensuring the safe evacuation of all the workers, the Prime Minister is closely monitoring the situation.

In a strategic move to expedite the rescue operation, a vertical drilling machine has been deployed to the incident site from the upper part of the tunnel. A noteworthy development occurred when an endoscopic flexi camera was successfully inserted into the collapsed section, allowing for visual contact with the trapped workers. President of the International Tunnel and Underground Sites Association, Arnold Dix, is on-site and has conveyed confidence in the imminent safe evacuation of all workers. Additionally, rescue workers have achieved success in inserting a six-inch pipe into the tunnel, facilitating the delivery of essential supplies such as food, water, oxygen, and medicines to the trapped laborers.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his recent communication with Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, reiterated the importance of maintaining the morale of the trapped workers during the ongoing rescue operation. International tunneling expert Arnold Dix, representing the Geneva-based International Tunneling and Underground Space Association, has arrived at the disaster site to assess the rescue efforts, now in its ninth day.

Dix commended the substantial progress made in the rescue efforts, emphasizing the extensive preparations and safety measures taken within the tunnel. Expressing optimism about the safe evacuation of the trapped workers, he acknowledged the extraordinary work carried out by the rescue teams. He highlighted the ongoing efforts to ensure the safety of both the workers and the evacuation process. Despite his recent arrival, Dix expressed satisfaction with the visible progress and outlined plans to consider various options for the evacuation. The collaborative efforts between the central and state agencies, with necessary resources provided by the Centre, signify a coordinated and determined approach to ensuring the safety of the trapped workers.