Rescuers Send Veg Pulao and Matar Paneer to Trapped Workers in Uttarakhand
In the ongoing operation to rescue 41 laborers trapped inside the collapsed portion of the under-construction Silkyara tunnel in Uttarkashi, rescuers have packed solid food items for the workers. The workers will receive cooked meals such as veg pulao and matar paneer through a 6-inch-wide alternative lifeline pipe that was laid on Monday.
Sanjeet Rana, a cook at a local eatery, prepared the dishes for the trapped workers. He mentioned that they have prepared veg pulao, matar paneer, and butter chapati, and have packed the food in adequate portions. The food is less spicy and less oily to ensure easy digestion.
Earlier, hot meals like Khichdi and Dalia could not be delivered through the lifeline pipe due to an obstruction. However, the obstruction has been cleared, and the workers have also received fruits like oranges and bananas, as well as medicines.
Around 150 packets of food were prepared for dinner on Tuesday by Abhishek Ramola, the owner of the hotel where the food was prepared. All the items were cooked under the supervision of a doctor to provide easy-to-digest food to the trapped workers.
The rescue plan involves inserting 900 mm pipes using horizontal drilling equipment to create an escape route for the workers. However, the approach has been modified to use 800 mm-diameter pipes instead. The trapped workers are located between the caved-in portion and the Barkot side of the tunnel, which is yet to be accessed.
Multiple agencies, including NDRF, ITBP, Army engineers, SDRF, fire and emergency services, Border Roads Organisation, and other technical agencies of the Central government, are involved in the rescue operation. International experts have also been flown in to oversee the operation and provide necessary suggestions.
The government is exploring various methods, including top attack and vertical drilling, to rescue the trapped laborers. The priority of the government is to save lives.
