Silkyara Tunnel Rescue: Vertical Drilling Reaches 31 Meters

In a bid to reach the 41 trapped workers inside the Silkyara tunnel, officials reported swift progress in vertical drilling from the hilltop, with 31 meters completed out of the required 86 meters. The decision to drill vertically was prompted by the breakdown of the auger machine used for horizontal drilling.

Efforts are now underway to lay an 800/900 mm or 1.2 m diameter pipeline through the ongoing drilling, aiming to facilitate the rescue operation. The American auger machine, initially stuck in the tunnel debris, has been fully cut using a plasma cutter. However, the front part of the machine remains lodged in the pipeline, posing a challenge for removal.

During the process of cutting and extracting the American Auger machine, a 2-meter section of the pipeline (48 to 50 meters) has been twisted, presenting an additional challenge for the rescue team. Officials acknowledge the complexity of removing this portion, making it difficult to provide a precise timeframe for the commencement of manual drilling.

According to the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), the drilling work is expected to conclude by November 30. Addressing a press conference in Uttarkashi, NHIDCL Managing Director Mahmood Ahmad expressed hope that no further hurdles would impede progress.

Mahmood Ahmad also touched upon the issue of an escape passage, mentioning the formation of a committee to address the matter. However, he emphasized that the immediate goal is the safe evacuation of the 41 trapped workers.

To expedite rescue operations, a unit of Madras Sappers, an engineer group of the Corps of Engineers of the Indian Army, was deployed for manual drilling on Sunday. Thirty personnel from the engineer regiment, alongside civilians, will undertake rat boring inside the tunnel using tools like hands, hammers, and chisels. The plan involves clearing debris and pushing the pipeline forward from a built platform inside the pipe.

The Silkyara tunnel collapse occurred on November 12, trapping the laborers under debris in a 60-meter stretch on the Silkyara side of the tunnel. The evolving situation demands coordinated efforts and a race against time for the safe extraction of the workers.