Rescuers Finally Clear Debris and Lay Pipes to Rescue Trapped Workers from Uttarakhand Tunnel
New Delhi: After 17 days of being trapped, the 41 workers stuck in Uttarakhand’s Silkyari tunnel are on the verge of being rescued, according to Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami’s tweet on Tuesday afternoon.
Rescue teams have successfully cleared the remaining debris and created an escape route using the banned manual mining technique known as “rat-hole” mining. High-tech machines, or augers, were ineffective in drilling through 60 meters of rock. However, the manual technique proved to be the solution.
In his tweet, the Chief Minister credited the grace of Baba Baukh Nagji, the prayers of millions of citizens, and the tireless efforts of all rescue teams for the completion of the pipe-laying work in the tunnel. He expressed optimism that all the workers would soon be brought out.
Currently, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and emergency medical personnel are on standby to enter the tunnel and assess the condition of the trapped men. Once evaluated, the process of bringing them out will begin.
Recent visuals from the rescue site depict a flurry of activity as tunnelling experts, disaster response teams, and medical personnel work together to save the trapped workers. Ambulances, one for each worker, are being carefully transported to and from the tunnel, serving as practice drills for when the workers are finally rescued.
To ensure smooth transportation, a green corridor has been established for the ambulances, leading to a makeshift hospital in Chinyalisaur, located 30 km away from the tunnel site.
The anticipation for the successful rescue operation continues to build, as the trapped workers are moments away from regaining their freedom and reuniting with their families.
