National Desk, 16th November: As the urgent mission to rescue 40 workers trapped in an under-construction tunnel in Silkyara, Uttarakhand continues, rescuers have deployed an auger drill machine to expedite the process of digging through the debris. The fragile state of the mountains in the vicinity prompted the involvement of experts from Norway and Thailand in the operation.
Constant communication is being maintained with the trapped workers to monitor their mental well-being. Nearly 50 meters of debris must be penetrated to insert 800 mm evacuation tubes, a critical step in the rescue efforts. Union Minister General (Retd) VK Singh is set to visit the tunnel to assess the ongoing operations.
Three consignments of a new auger drill machine, transported by the Indian Air Force (IAF) from Delhi, have reached the tunnel site. The machine, weighing 24 tonnes, is expected to cut the tunnel at a speed of 5 mm per hour, aiming to expedite the rescue process. The collapsed section of the tunnel, part of the ambitious Char Dham all-weather road project, poses a challenging task for the rescue teams. The deployment of advanced equipment and international expertise underscores the urgency and complexity of the operation.
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