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New Delhi: As the rescue teams reach the critical point of breakthrough in the Silkyara Tunnel, the atmosphere is charged with anticipation and urgency, 41 Ambulances are on standby at the entrance of the collapsed Silkyara tunnel, ready to take workers to nearby medical facilities. To ensure quick and organized response, a green corridor has been created so that the rescued workers can be quickly transported to Chinyalisaur Community Health Centre, located 30 km from the tunnel.
Keeping in mind the immediate medical needs of the stranded workers after their rescue, a separate ward with 41 oxygen supported beds has been prepared at the Community Health Center. The strategic location of this medical facility ensures quick transportation and access to necessary care for the rescued workers.
While challenges remain in digging out nearly 2 meters of debris, the determination to reach the trapped workers remains unwavering. The deadline to achieve success becomes paramount as every moment is crucial for the workers waiting for rescue deep in the tunnel.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami today said that the work of laying pipes to reach the stranded workers has been completed.
“As a result of immense grace of Baba Baukh Nagji (and) prayers of crores of countrymen and the tireless work of all rescue teams… the work of laying pipes in the tunnel to take out the workers has been completed. Soon all the labourer brothers will be taken out,” Mr Dhami wrote in Hindi on X.
बाबा बौख नाग जी की असीम कृपा, करोड़ों देशवासियों की प्रार्थना एवं रेस्क्यू ऑपरेशन में लगे सभी बचाव दलों के अथक परिश्रम के फलस्वरूप श्रमिकों को बाहर निकालने के लिए टनल में पाइप डालने का कार्य पूरा हो चुका है। शीघ्र ही सभी श्रमिक भाइयों को बाहर निकाल लिया जाएगा।
— Pushkar Singh Dhami (@pushkardhami) November 28, 2023
A team of 24 experienced “rat-hole mining” experts engaged in the manual drilling process and excavated a narrow passage towards the trapped workers.
The journey to this critical point in the rescue operation has been marked by both challenges and triumphs. The auger machine, which was initially used for drilling through the debris, encountered obstacles and got stuck at 47 metres. This setback required changes to manual rat-hole mining techniques, demonstrating the adaptability and resourcefulness of the rescue teams.
Rescue officials downplayed concerns about the workers’ ability to navigate through pipes up to two and a half feet in diameter and focused on their prior experience working in 2-foot pipes. To ensure their safety, each employee will be provided with a helmet, a uniform, a mask and goggles.
