New Delhi: The 41 workers who were trapped in a tunnel in Uttarakhand for 17 days are expected to be rescued soon. The manual drilling team that has been working to clear the debris blocking their escape is just a few meters away from reaching them. Despite facing numerous challenges due to the difficult terrain, the rescue operation is now on the verge of success. As the entire country anxiously awaits their safe return, it is important to understand how these workers ended up in this predicament.
The tunnel in question is a 4.5 km-long structure that is part of the Char Dham project initiated by the Indian government. The project aims to provide all-weather connectivity between four prominent Hindu shrines in Uttarakhand – Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri. Also known as the Silkyara tunnel, it connects Silyara and Dandalgaon in the Uttarkashi district. This double-lane tunnel is one of the longest under the Char Dham project and is expected to reduce travel time by an hour once completed. The construction of the tunnel is being carried out by Navayuga Engineering Company Limited, a Hyderabad-based company with experience in similar projects.
The incident occurred on November 12 when a section of the tunnel, between 205 and 260 meters from the Silkyara side, collapsed. The workers who were beyond the 260-meter mark were trapped with no way to escape. Fortunately, the area where they are stuck has power and water supply. While government authorities are conducting a detailed investigation to determine the cause of the collapse, several theories have emerged. One theory suggests that a landslide in the fragile Himalayan region may have triggered the collapse. Experts have also highlighted how the rapid development in this ecologically sensitive area may have contributed to the incident.
There are claims that the collapse was caused by a blast carried out by the construction teams working on the tunnel. Geologist and professor of environmental science at Uttarakhand University of Horticulture and Forestry, SP Sati, believes that a major blast led to the collapse, although the agency responsible for the construction denies this claim. It has also been revealed that the construction plan for the tunnel mentioned an escape tunnel, but it was never built. International expert Arnold Dix, who has visited the site, commented on the absence of an escape tunnel, stating that they are typically built at the end of the project as a precautionary measure. However, he did mention that escape tunnels may be constructed in specific geological conditions during the course of the project.
As the rescue team approaches the trapped workers, the nation waits with bated breath for their safe return. The incident serves as a reminder of the risks involved in large-scale infrastructure projects and the importance of thorough planning and adherence to safety measures.
