Uttarkashi : An official stated on Wednesday that rescue efforts to free the 41 workers trapped in the collapsed Silkyara tunnel in Uttarakhand have now entered their eleventh day. Drilling has been accomplished up to a depth of 39 meters, with 23 meters more to be drilled.
Six 800-mm-diameter pipes have reportedly been put into the tunnel by officials using an auger machine to cut through the debris.
The seventh pipe is being welded at this time.
A total of 62 meters of pipes need to be inserted, and so far drilling up to 39 meters has been completed, with an additional 23 meters remaining to be drilled before rescuers can reach the trapped labourers.
The welding of pipes that are being pushed into the drilled holes will provide workers’ an escape route.
At least 41 ambulances have been parked outside the Silkyara Tunnel.
Nigel, the safety chief of Larsen and Toubro involved in the rescue, said: “The drilling work is progressing very well. There is hope that we will reach our goal soon. We are also assisting in micro-tunnelling, and the entire operation is proceeding smoothly.”
According to Ravi S. Badhani, an officer with the National Disaster Response Force, the rescue effort is going smoothly. They are quite near to the individuals who are stuck within the tunnel and are engaged in vertical drilling.
Using an endoscopic camera, officials were able to successfully establish communication with the trapped workers on Tuesday.
For the first time since they were captured 10 days prior, the laborers were captured on camera.
On November 12, it was reported that a portion of the under-construction tunnel from Silkyara to Barkot collapsed due to debris falling in the 60 metre stretch on the Silkyara side of the tunnel.
