Workers Trapped In Tunnel May Not Be Rescued Until Christmas: Foreign Expert
The rescue operation to save 41 workers trapped inside the collapsed Silkyara tunnel in Uttarkashi has hit a roadblock. The auger machine used to drill through the debris has become stuck, leading officials to explore alternative options that could further delay the rescue by several weeks.
The authorities are now considering two alternatives. The first option is manual drilling, where workers will enter the already bored 47-meter passage, drill for a short period, and then rotate with someone else. The second option is to drill down 86 meters from above. However, Lt Gen (retd) Syed Ata Hasnain, a member of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), warned that this operation could take a significant amount of time.
While the equipment is being retrieved from the planned escape passage, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami stated that manual drilling can commence. Heavy equipment has also been brought to the site for vertical drilling, which officials previously estimated could take weeks. Mr. Hasnain stated that the vertical drilling process would begin within the next 24 to 36 hours, indicating that it is the faster option among the two.
However, the auger machine, which includes a giant corkscrew-like device with a cutter, has encountered difficulties. The blades are stuck after creating a horizontal passage of 46.8 meters into the rubble. Approximately 20 meters of the auger in the chute has been removed, and a plasma cutter is being airlifted to tackle the remaining 25 meters.
Despite the setbacks, international tunnelling advisor Arnold Dix reiterated his promise to rescue the workers by Christmas. He expressed confidence in their safety and reassured reporters that they would be brought home soon.
It is important to note that this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.
