New Challenges and Strategies in the Operation to Rescue Trapped Workers in Uttarakhand Tunnel
The rescue operation to save 41 workers trapped inside a tunnel in Uttarakhand has been a tale of constantly evolving challenges and adaptive strategies. Over the past 16 days, government authorities have been fine-tuning their rescue plans to ensure the safe extraction of the trapped workers. Simultaneously, efforts are being made to address their physical and mental well-being during this prolonged operation.
One setback in the operation occurred when an auger drill machine, used to create an escape passage, got stuck in the debris. Despite drilling through more than 46 meters of debris, the machine broke down with only 14 meters of drilling left. An international tunnel expert at the site confirmed that the auger machine was “busted.” To continue the drilling process, a specialized gas cutter was flown in from Hyderabad to remove the stuck parts of the auger drill. The plasma cutter successfully completed this task.
With the auger machine rendered unusable, rescue teams have turned to manual drilling as an alternative strategy. A team of 11 specialists from Delhi has been flown in for this task. They will enter the 800 mm pipe and manually clear the debris using handheld tools. The waste generated during the digging process will be removed in wheeled vessels. These professionals, known as rat miners for their expertise in boring, are skilled in cutting through metal barriers. Manual drilling is set to begin today after the gas cutters used in the previous operation cooled down.
In addition to manual drilling, rescue teams have also implemented a vertical drilling plan to complement their efforts. This method involves drilling horizontally from a point 300 meters away from the tunnel’s mouth and then drilling vertically down 86 meters. Former chief of Border Roads Organisation, Harpal Singh, reported that 31 meters of drilling had been completed. A major challenge in the vertical drilling method is drilling through the tunnel’s crust or roof. To mitigate the risk of injury to the trapped workers, rescue teams plan to drill horizontally for a short distance before breaking through the crust. The drilling work is expected to be completed by November 30.
Other methods being employed include reaching the trapped workers from the other end of the tunnel in Barkot, which involves drilling through 480 meters, and building a mini tunnel perpendicular to the Silkyara tunnel. The latter plan is expected to take 10 to 15 days to be completed.
As the rescue operation continues, concerns arise regarding the mental and physical well-being of the trapped workers. To address this, efforts have been made to provide them with communication facilities. Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited has been roped in to provide a landline connection, allowing the workers to talk to their families. Additionally, mobile phones, video games, and board games have been sent to the workers through a pipe to help them distract themselves from the harrowing wait.
Weather conditions, including light rain and a drop in temperature, pose additional challenges to the rescue operation. However, the rescue teams assure that they are prepared to overcome these challenges, as they are trained to work in all situations.
The operation to rescue the trapped workers in Uttarakhand continues, with rescue teams adapting their strategies to ensure a successful and safe extraction.
