Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami announced that the rescue operation for the 41 workers trapped in the Silkyara tunnel collapse in Uttarkashi is in its final stage. He emphasized the collaborative efforts of both central and state government agencies, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi closely monitoring updates. The rescue operation faced a temporary setback when the auger drilling machine, vital for reaching the trapped workers, developed cracks. However, the machine has been reassembled, and authorities are optimistic about pushing the pipe further to progress with the rescue.
Additional Secretary Technical, Road, and Transport Mahmood Ahmed provided insights into the technical challenges, mentioning that the auger machine encountered obstacles due to steel pipes and underwent damage. Despite this setback, the machine has been repaired, and efforts are underway to push the pipe through the debris. The rescue operation involves drilling through a 60-meter stretch of debris to reach the trapped workers, who are confined in a 2 km-built portion of the tunnel.
Former advisor to the Prime Minister’s Office, Bhaskar Khulbe, noted that a 2-meter part of the inserted pipe had to be cut off due to compression caused by friction during drilling. The operation faced a brief halt when cracks developed in the platform supporting the drilling machine. However, repairs have been carried out, and authorities aim to resume and expedite the drilling process. The trapped workers may be extricated soon, providing relief to the ongoing rescue efforts.