New Delhi/Dehradun: In a race towards time, rescue companies are tirelessly working to extract 41 development staff trapped for over 170 hours underneath particles following a partial collapse of the Silkyara tunnel in Uttarkashi district, Uttarakhand, on November 12.
Vertical Drilling Strategy Unveiled
Amidst challenges posed by a snagged auger machine, a US-made drill, officers are actually contemplating a groundbreaking vertical drilling technique. A high-performance drilling machine from Madhya Pradesh’s Indore has been mobilized, initiating the development of a platform for the vertical drilling operation. The rescue work is more likely to take 4-5 days extra as efforts to drill a horizontal gap utilizing the American auger machine didn’t yield the specified outcomes. The rescue work needed to be stopped following a recent collapse of a boulder yesterday.
PMO, Experts Mulling 5 Rescue Plans
Simultaneously, a group from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) and specialists on-site are orchestrating 5 distinct rescue plans. Bhaskar Khulbe, former advisor to the Prime Minister, emphasised the urgency, stating, “Working on multiple plans concurrently increases the likelihood of reaching the trapped workers sooner.”
Gadkari, Dhami Review Rescue Ops
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami visited the positioning to evaluate the continued rescue efforts. Chief Minister Dhami assured, “We are exploring all possibilities, utilizing expert teams to their fullest potential.”
The rescue mission confronted setbacks as drilling was halted attributable to a sudden “cracking sound” from the machine. A high-level assembly on the Centre deliberated on 5 potential rescue choices, assigning particular companies to execute various plans.
Agonizing Wait For Families
Outside the tunnel, households endure an agonizing wait. Voices wane, power diminishes, and nervousness heightens amongst relations because the hours tick away.
Comprehensive Rehabilitation For Trapped Workers
Recognizing the necessity for complete rehabilitation, medical doctors are advocating for psychological and bodily restoration processes for the trapped staff. Anurag Jain, Secretary, Ministry of Road and Transport, shared, “We are sending vitamin tablets and antidepressants as doctors suggested. It will take time, but we will eventually get them out.”
Multivitamins Being Sent To Workers
As the confined staff face extended isolation, authorities are taking measures to deal with their well being. Multivitamins, together with Vitamin B and Vitamin C, together with antidepressants, are being despatched to maintain the employees within the absence of daylight.
Char Dham ProjectÂ
The under-construction tunnel is a vital a part of the Char Dham undertaking, aiming to reinforce connectivity to the Hindu pilgrimage websites of Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri. The incident underscores the challenges confronted in essential nationwide infrastructure initiatives.
