Uttarakhand tunnel collapse: Large diameter pipes, drilling machines arrive at site for evacuation of 40 trapped workers

Rescue efforts entered the third day as a convoy of trucks carrying 900 mm diameter pipes reached Silkyara, the site of the under-construction tunnel collapse. The incident occurred on November 12, affecting a segment of the Brahmakhal-Yamunotri national highway between Silkyara and Dandalgaon.

Authorities are meticulously preparing a platform for an auger machine, designed to horizontally drill and insert large-diameter MS pipes amidst the debris. This innovative approach aims to facilitate the safe extraction of the 40 trapped workers through the metal pipes.

Rescue teams are actively working to clear approximately 35 more meters of debris to reach the location of the trapped workers. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami personally inspected the site, assuring continuous monitoring of the rescue operations. Large-diameter hume pipes are being dispatched from Haridwar and Dehradun to bolster the rescue efforts.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw have all reached out to Chief Minister Dhami to inquire about the situation. Meanwhile, Uttarkashi Superintendent of Police Arpan Yaduvanshi estimates that the evacuation may be completed by Tuesday night, with over 20 meters of debris already cleared from a total of 60 meters.

Basic amenities, including oxygen, food, and water, are being provided to the trapped workers through pipes, and their families have been informed. The Silkyara Tunnel, spanning 4531 meters and costing Rs 853.79 crore, has faced a breach of 21 meters, prompting ongoing rescue efforts.

According to a report from the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), the collapse occurred during re-profiling work, trapping 40 workers inside the tunnel. The situation remains critical, emphasizing the urgency and complexity of the ongoing rescue mission.”