As the rescue operation for 41 trapped workers in the Silkyara tunnel enters its 17th day, workers involved in rat-hole mining express optimism that the drilling work will conclude within the next 24 hours, paving the way for the swift extraction of the trapped individuals.
Naseem, one of the workers engaged in manual drilling, shared details of progress, stating that 51 meters of drilling have been completed, with 5 meters accomplished manually. He assured that the remaining 6 meters would be completed within the next 24 hours. Despite potential obstacles, Naseem conveyed that the work has been progressing well, taking 1-2 hours to drill each meter.
Another worker emphasized that the government has provided all necessary safety equipment, and the team of 12 specialists is efficiently navigating the challenges. He highlighted that, while challenging, the goal is to complete the task as expeditiously as possible.
The manual drilling, carried out by rat-hole miners, commenced on Monday night, utilizing an 800 mm pipe to access the trapped workers. The debris generated during the process is manually extracted using ropes from the rescue pipe.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, accompanied by key officials, including Neeraj Khairwal, Arpan Yaduvanshi, and Bhaskar Khulbe, has arrived at the tunnel site to oversee the ongoing rescue efforts.
Micro tunnelling expert Chris Cooper expressed optimism, stating that progress has been positive, with over 50 meters of drilling completed and only 5-6 meters remaining. He highlighted a lack of obstacles during the recent phase of the operation.
The rescue mission faced a brief setback when the auger machine, used for drilling, got stuck in debris. However, the machine was successfully removed using a plasma cutter.
NHIDCL Managing Director Mahmood Ahmad reported the completion of vertical drilling of 36 meters, conducted from atop the hill.
A delegation led by Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, Pramod Kumar Mishra, and Union Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla inspected the work inside the tunnel, ensuring coordination at the highest levels.
The 41 workers trapped inside the tunnel remain stable, and ongoing efforts are focused on their safe and prompt extraction from the site.
