Uttarkashi Tunnel Collapse: Trapped Workers Could See Light Of The Day Today

New Delhi: If all goes well, today could be the last day of the 12-day operation to rescue 41 workers trapped in the Silkyara tunnel in
Uttarkashi since November 12. Prayers are being held for their safe passage as the rescue operation enters its final stage. The prayers were offered at a temple built at the main entrance of the tunnel days after the incident took place.

Former advisor to the Prime Minister’s Office, Bhaskar Khulbe, supervising the multi-agency rescue operation, reached the tunnel site today. According to Kulbe, one of the main hindrances, the presence of steel rods along the path of the rescue pipes have now been removed.
“I am happy to tell you the entire steel that was obstructing the free movement of the pipe inside has now been removed. We are trying to move 6 metres ahead of the 45-metre mark that we have already reached. During drilling last night, an iron metal had come in, due to which the work was stopped. We hope that there will be no more obstructions in our way ahead” Bhaskar Kulbe was quoted as saying by ANI.

International Tunnelling Expert Arnold Dix, while speaking to ANI from the site, said, “At the moment, it’s like we are there at the front door and we are knocking on it. We know that the guys are there on the other side. I am going to have a look and see what is happening.

Earlier on Wednesday, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel entered the tunnel, an official statement issued by Uttarakhand Chief Minister’s Office said. An ambulance is also deployed inside the tunnel and a team of doctors is also put on stand-by for health check-ups of the workers, it said.

International Tunnelling Expert Arnold Dix, while speaking to ANI from the site, said, “At the moment, it’s like we are there at the front door and we are knocking on it. We know that the guys are there on the other side. I am going to have a look and see what is happening.”
Speaking on the post-rescue action plan, Uttarkashi SP Arpan Yaduvanshi said, “Our post-rescue action plan is ready. We will take the workers through the green corridor with a police escort and make sure that the best possible treatment is being provided to them. I think they will be taken to Chinyalisaur and then, if necessary, to Rishikesh.”

“Some VIP movements are going to take place. Union Minister General VK Singh (Retd) and Secretary, North, will also be coming,” Yaduvanshi added, according to the report.

Meanwhile, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) will undertake a safety audit of all 29 under-construction tunnels across the country to ensure safety and adherence to the highest quality standards, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways said on Wednesday.