Strict restriction on vehicular movement enforced around Silkyara tunnel
Tuesday, 21 November 2023 | PNS | UTTARKASHI
In latest news from Uttarakhand, with multipronged, simultaneous rescue efforts being carried out to evacuate the 41 workers stuck inside the partially collapsed tunnel at Silkyara, the six-inch lifeline pipe through which oxygen, food and water were being sent to the trapped workers got blocked late in the night and the fire brigade personnel stepped in and cleared the blockage by applying water pressure. Meanwhile, the machine of the Satluj Jal Vidyuit Nigam is expected to be put atop the tunnel soon after which it would be used for vertical drilling. Further, the American auger machine is also all set to resume its vertical drilling operation. Those coordinating the rescue works informed that fruits like oranges had been sent to the stuck workers and added that their relatives had been enabled to speak to them through wireless communication setups and they looked relieved after that. It is further learnt that strict restriction on vehicular movements has been enforced in and around the site and even the government vehicles associated with the rescue operation are being stopped ahead of the site. As per information received, the car ferrying UPCL engineers to the site who were tasked with laying electric wires atop the tunnel was not allowed in as they failed to show passes. Further, the Rail Vikas Nigam Limited personnel have made the ground clear for installing the drilling machine brought in to insert an eight-inch lifeline pipe through the rubble of the collapsed part of the tunnel.
