Thursday, 23 November 2023 | PNS | DEHRADUN
In latest news from Uttarakhand, though the multi-pronged rescue operation to evacuate the 41 workers stranded inside the Silkyara tunnel is claimed to be on the brink of breakthrough- the rescuers were barely six meters away from the target- the operation faced an unexpected hurdle in the evening following which it had to be stalled. Those engaged in the rescue efforts claimed that the operation would resume by noon while expressing the hope that the rescue mission would end quite soon with the safe evacuation of the long-stuck workers. It is learnt that while the drilling was continuing to reach out to the stranded workers it hit a metallic object jutting out in the tunnel. However, the NDRF team swung into action and removed the steel object that hindered progress of the mission. In another instance of obstacle coming in the way, the 800-meter steel pipe, inserted into the rubble, is said to have bent at some point and the experts from Delhi were sent for to resolve the issue. Meanwhile, with hopes having brightened up for the safe rescue of the stranded workers, the Union minister V K Singh has reached the tunnel collapse site again. Besides, the internationally renowned tunnel rescue specialist Arnold Dix has also reached the site and said that the final culmination of the mission is in sight. The director general NDRF Atul Karwal said that they were prepared to take on any emergency challenge as the rescue mission was nearing its culmination point. The former advisor to the Prime Minister Bhaskar Khulbe who is also at the site said that they had to move six meters farther to reach out to the trapped workers, adding that the pipes required to be welded to move these six crucial meters were being prepared now.
