Wednesday, 15 November 2023 | PNS | DEHRADUN
Deciding to build an escape tunnel instead of removing the debris to rescue the 40 stranded workers in the Silkyara tunnel, the authorities have installed a platform for the drilling machine and installed the equipment on the frame.The authorities had to remove debris which landed at the site of the drilling machine after which protective measures were being undertaken.
Officials informed that the task of pipe drill was expected to start by 10 PM on Tuesday. Officials of the NHIDCL informed that the stranded workers have drinking water, food, oxygen and electricity and that all of them are safe. Further, eight pipes of six metre length each and 900 MM diametre each, five pipes of 800 MM diameter and six other pipes have been brought to the site for preparing the escape tunnel. Along with technical experts to oversee the making of the escape tunnel, the State Disaster Response Force commandant, Uttarkashi district magistrate and other officials are also present at the site along with the rescue team.
A staging area has been activated at the site where vertical drill machine, horizontal drill machine and a soft cutting machine have been provided. A number of heavy machinery and excavators have been placed outside the tunnel. The Health department has also set up a health camp with six beds along with necessary medical items. Five 108 ambulances and five other departmental and other ambulances along with medical officers and assisting staff have also been posted at the site.
According to the officials, a total of 160 personnel have been deployed in the rescue effort. These comprise personnel of the police, National Disaster Response Force, State Disaster Response Force, Indo-Tibetan Border Police, Border Roads Organisation, Health department and quick response team, among others. Along with this, the Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority technical team set up to ascertain the cause of the landslide in the tunnel is also surveying the site. The other personnel and officials are working in shifts to continue the rescue effort.
