Renewed efforts are underway to rescue 41 workers who have been trapped for ten days inside a tunnel in Uttarakhand, India. The rescue operation was temporarily halted on Friday when rescuers heard a concerning cracking sound during drilling. The workers became trapped after a landslide caused a section of the tunnel, part of a federal highway project, to collapse on November 12. Contact with the workers was established hours after the incident, and essential supplies, including oxygen, dry snacks, and water, were provided through a pipeline initially laid for construction purposes.
An endoscopic camera was introduced on Monday, offering a visual connection to the trapped workers. Relatives were asked to identify themselves in front of the camera, providing reassurance and a means of communication. To enhance the supply of essential items, including medicines, mobile phones, and chargers, a new wider pipe has been implemented. This improved conduit also facilitated the provision of the workers’ first hot meal in ten days on Tuesday, with rescuers sending bottles of khichdi (a rice and lentil dish) through the pipe.
As of Wednesday, rescuers have resumed drilling operations near the tunnel entrance, aiming to create a micro-tunnel through which the workers can crawl out. The drilling has progressed 39 meters (128 feet) through the debris, and a telescopic tunnelling method is being employed to insert multiple pipes of varying widths through the estimated 60-meter debris wall. This approach aims to create a pathway for the workers to escape.
However, the operation has encountered challenges, including loose soil, hard rock, and falling debris, necessitating a cautious approach. Despite these hurdles, officials express confidence in the ongoing rescue efforts. Other plans, such as attempting to reach the workers through the opposite end of the tunnel and vertical drilling from the mountain’s top, are also being pursued.
The Silkyara tunnel in Uttarkashi district is a crucial part of the federal government’s ambitious highway project designed to enhance connectivity to prominent pilgrimage sites in Uttarakhand. The mountainous state, known for its sacred sites for Hindus, is ecologically fragile and susceptible to earthquakes and landslides. Officials are working tirelessly to ensure the safe and successful rescue of the trapped workers, and updates are anticipated in the coming days as the operation progresses.
