Uttarkashi Tunnel Collapse: As rescue efforts into the eleventh day to rescue the forty-one workers trapped in the collapsed Silkyara tunnel in Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand, continue, they have entered a critical phase. After stopping since November 17, drilling operations started up again late on Tuesday.
Mountain Carving for Vertical Drilling Platform
The rescuers have carved out a section of the mountain above the tunnel to accommodate a vertical drilling platform. Furthermore, although it is anticipated to take a long time, plans are in place to build a micro tunnel from the left side of the tunnel mouth that is perpendicular to the current tunnel. Last night, a hot meal of vegetable pulao, matar-paneer, and buttery chapatis was served to the ensnared labourers. The meal was prepared under medical supervision to ensure easy digestion. A 6-inch-wide pipeline that has also been used to send fruits and establish contact with the stranded workers was utilised to deliver the food.
Endoscopic Flexi Camera Captures Trapped Workers
Using an endoscopic flexi camera inserted through the pipeline, photos of the trapped workers were taken for the first time in several days, and they gave some relief because they showed the men in good health. Modern drilling equipment has been transported to the scene from across the nation to support every kind of drilling operation required for the rescue.
Chief Minister Dhami Emphasizes Safe Employee Evacuation
According to Pushkar Singh Dhami, the chief minister of Uttarakhand, the safe evacuation of all employees is still the top priority, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi is kept regularly informed about the status of the rescue operations. Within the tunnel where the workers are trapped, there is enough power, light, oxygen, and water, according to confirmation from the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).
NHAI Enlists Field Specialists for Safety Audits
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) will carry out a thorough safety audit for significant ongoing tunnel projects in the wake of the Uttarkashi accident, sources told India Today. Experts in the field are to be enlisted by NHAI’s regional offices for the impending safety audits. As part of this initiative, over two dozen major tunnel projects are scheduled for urgent evaluation.
NHAI Seeks Expertise for Comprehensive Tunnel Safety Audits
NHAI intends to appoint organisations with significant tunnelling work experience to guarantee a comprehensive investigation. This covers governmental organisations as well as other foreign specialists with a track record of success in similar initiatives. According to sources, the main goal of these safety audits will be to evaluate and improve safety precautions in all current tunnel projects.
Auger Machine Halts Horizontal Drilling
After the heavy duty auger machine ran into a hard boulder last Friday afternoon, rescue agencies had to think of other options in addition to pausing the horizontal drilling through the debris. However, it was made evident on Tuesday that resuming this halted operation was the top priority by statements made by Uttarakhand Chief Minister Dhami, Road Transport and Highways Secretary Anurag Jain, and member of the National Disaster Management Authority Lt General (retd) Syed Ata Hasnain.
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