Uttarkashi tunnel collapse: Rescue operations to evacuate 41 workers trapped in Uttarakhand’s Silkyara tunnel got here to an finish for the day with a number of developments on Saturday. These embrace landline wires being laid across the space whereas cellphones and board video games had been despatched to the trapped workers to assist alleviate stress.Â
Earlier, the auger drilling machine hit a steel girder within the night, a bit after drilling was resumed after officers resolved a technical snag. The 25-tonne machine restarted on Friday night and drilling resumed. However, a recent hurdle was confronted because the boring continued for about an hour earlier than the drill hit a steel girder. Â
Key Updates on Rescue Operations:
1.NHIDCL Lifeline Efforts:
- Freshly cooked meals and recent fruits are being inserted contained in the tunnel at common intervals utilizing the 2nd life line (150 mm dia.) service.Sufficient fruits like orange, Apple, Banana and many others., together with medicines and salts has additionally been provided on this lifeline in common interval.
- Additional Dry Food are additionally being provided for future inventory.
- Modified communication system with wire connectivity developed by SDRF is getting used for communication recurrently. People inside have reported that they’re protected.
 2.Horizontal Boring by NHIDCL
- Auger drilling began at 0045 Hrs on 22.11.2023 was halted due to metallic object (Lattice girder rib) being encountered in entrance of the pipe and the pipe couldn’t be inserted additional. Cutting of Metallic object (Lattice Girder rib) utilizing Gas cutters has been accomplished. Pushing of ninth pipe reached an extra 1.8 meter distance. Minor vibration was famous, so Auger was pushed barely again to re-assess the drive to be utilized. Obstructions had been noticed.
- A bend a part of forepole (pipe) from tunnel lining was struck within the auger meeting which led to vibrations.
- Strengthening of platform for auger machine utilizing accelerating agent for fast hardening of concrete is accomplished.
- Platform for Auger Machine has been strengthened by means of anchoring, bolting, concreting basis and many others.
- Further, auger was required to pull again totally to assess every other harm to pipe. Auger pulling has been accomplished. GPR (Ground Penetration Radar) take a look at has been accomplished. Welder’s team has gone contained in the pipe for reducing of bent pipe. Cutting of bent pipe accomplished.
- Augur re-assembly work accomplished and all augurs reinserted by 1430 hrs.
- Pushing of tenth Pipe( 4.7 m size) began at 1625 hrs on 24.11.2023 and a size of two.2 m was inserted upto 1750 hrs on 24.11.2023 ensuing In whole inserted size of 46.9 m.
- During pushing of tenth pipe, additional obstruction was noticed and pushing of pipe had to cease. Thereafter, pulling again of auger was initiated. 15 m size of Auger got here out initially by pulling and thereafter the auger joints obtained damaged and dealing with difficulties for pulling of auger in a single go due to possible onerous caught of auger.
- Thereafter handbook reducing of auger in small items by fuel reducing and taking out of the identical from contained in the pipe (800 mm) is adopted. As of now, 22.6 m size of auger out of whole 46.9 m has been taken out and the method is occurring.Â
3.Vertical Drilling for Rescue by SJVNL:
- Drilling Machineries arrived at web site.
- Platform for launching of drilling machine has been accomplished. Marking of drilling level over the tunnel has been finalized at Ch. 300 L/S after dialogue with GSI, RVNL & ONGC.
- Assembly of machine began.
 4.Horizontal Drilling from Barkot Side by THDCL:
- THDC has initiated the development of a rescue tunnel from the Barkot finish, with 4 blasts already accomplished, leading to a 9.10 meter drift.
- Shotcreting and rib erection has been accomplished and extra rib fabrication work is in progress.
 5.Perpendicular-Horizontal Drilling by RVNL:
- Equipments for micro tunneling required for horizontal drilling to rescue labourers has reached web site from Nashik and Delhi.
- Platform doubtless to be accomplished by 25.11.2023. Equipment to be arrange by 27.11.2023.
 6.Vertical Drilling (6 inches) by RVNL at Silkyara finish:
- Access street of 1150 meter has been accomplished by BRO and handed over to RVNL. Machine for drilling towed to location by BRO.
- Electric Connection has been offered to RVNL.
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