Uttarkashi: The rescue operation at the collapsed tunnel in Uttarakhand, where 41 workers have been trapped since November 12, is anticipated to extend up to 15 days, according to an official statement.
In a significant development in the ongoing rescue efforts at the Uttarkashi tunnel, where 41 workers have been trapped following a landslide-induced cave-in, rescuers utilized a flexible endoscopic camera to establish visual contact with the trapped individuals.
Live video feeds from the endoscopic camera were transmitted to a control room near the Silkyara Bend – Barkot tunnel, displaying the workers interacting with the camera. The rescuers encouraged the trapped workers to smile and assured them of a safe rescue operation. While the workers were visible in the video clips available on social media, their voices could not be heard.
During the interaction, the workers were instructed to show themselves to the camera, raise their hands, and smile as a gesture of reassurance. The camera, maneuvered remotely from the temporary control room, provided a close-up view as some workers approached the mouth of the newly laid 6-inch pipe.
The video, shared by Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, indicated two workers holding walkie-talkies. Local officials mentioned that chargers for the communication devices were sent through the pipes to facilitate recharging.
In a separate video, workers were observed receiving liquid food in plastic bottles sent through the new pipe. The National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited(NHDL) officials mentioned that khichri and fruit juice were provided to the laborers through the innovative communication channel.
Efforts to clear the debris obstructing the tunnel have faced challenges, with only 24 meters of the 57-meter stretch cleared thus far. The rescue operation, employing horizontal drilling and other methods, has encountered technical difficulties, including a snag in heavy-duty machinery.
While repairs have been made to the machinery, uncertainty surrounds the conclusion of the operation. Australian engineer Arnold Dix, part of the rescue team, expressed optimism but indicated that the extraction of the trapped workers might take up to a month.
Multiple approaches, including horizontal drilling and vertical holes, are being pursued to reach the trapped workers from various directions. The alignment and accuracy of the drilling process are critical, contributing to the complexity of the operation.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been briefed on the ongoing rescue efforts, emphasizing the priority of saving the lives of the trapped workers. Chief Minister Dhami echoed this sentiment, assuring continuous efforts to ensure the safe extraction of the workers from the under-construction tunnel in Silkyara, Uttarkashi.
Read more: Workers Trapped In Uttarkashi’s Silkyara Tunnel: First Video Released | News Karnataka
Uttarkashi: 40 Trapped For 100+ Hours; Rescue Operations Intensify | News Karnataka
