Uttarakhand: Forty workers remain trapped inside an under-construction tunnel in Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand, as efforts to rescue them enter the fifth day. To aid in their extraction, rescuers have introduced advanced American-made drilling equipment as part of potential alternative plans. Col. Deepak Patil, former GM of NHIDCL, expressed optimism about the success of these backup strategies, mentioning the readiness of equipment for a possible Plan C.
However, the rescue operation encountered a setback yesterday. The auger machine, intended to drill through the debris and create a passage, faced difficulties in executing the task. This hiccup led to protests by tunnel workers and locals, directed towards both the administration and the construction company involved in the project. Despite this, the primary plan persists: utilizing a “trenchless” technique involving 900 mm wide mild steel pipes to establish a pathway through which the trapped workers can crawl.
The distressing incident occurred at 5.30 am last Sunday, causing the collapse of the tunnel on the Yamunotri National Highway. Fortunately, officials have managed to establish communication with the trapped workers through walkie-talkies. Additionally, provisions for supplying food and oxygen have been facilitated through a pipeline initially meant for water supply. The individuals trapped inside hail from various regions across Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Odisha, Uttarakhand, and Himachal Pradesh, as reported by the District Emergency Operation Centre. Despite ensuring the workers’ current safety, urgent measures are underway to secure their timely rescue.