![Union Minister V. K. Singh reviews rescue operation at Uttarkashi Tunnel collapse in Uttarkashi district on November 16, 2023. Union Minister V. K. Singh reviews rescue operation at Uttarkashi Tunnel collapse in Uttarkashi district on November 16, 2023.](https://www.thehindu.com/theme/images/th-online/1x1_spacer.png)
Union Minister V. Okay. Singh critiques rescue operation at Uttarkashi Tunnel collapse in Uttarkashi district on November 16, 2023.
| Picture Credit score: Shashi Shekhar Kashyap
Drilling to create a passage for 40 staff trapped in an under-construction tunnel that collapsed 4 days again will resume quickly with a brand new heavy machine, which was flown in from Delhi, officers stated in New Delhi.
The labourers are secure, and oxygen, electrical energy, medicines, meals objects and water are being consistently provided to them by pipes, they stated.
The ‘American auger’ machine was airlifted in elements by three IAF transport plane on November 15 to interchange the “failed” gear which was getting used earlier to create the passage. These have been then introduced from Uttarakhand’s Chinyalisaur airport, over 30 kilometres from the Silkyara tunnel on the Char Dham route, and assembled on the website. Set up of the heavy gear is nearly full and drilling will resume quickly, the officers stated. The method of putting in the brand new machine started at 11 p.m. on Nov. 15.
“Our priority is to get the workers out in the soonest. All efforts are underway to this end. From the Prime Minister to various agencies, everyone is supporting this effort”, Union Minister of State for Highway Transport and Highways Gen. V.Okay. Singh (retd.) stated.
Chatting with reporters in Uttarkashi, Mr. Singh stated, “The machine we got at the beginning of the rescue led to falling debris, so to avoid greater danger we used another machine which faced issues. A new machine with faster speed and greater power is in place.”
“This should be done in 2-3 days, but could be done earlier too. We were keeping an outer bound in case issues come up. We’re taking all technical help from railway, mining agencies. The workers’ morale is high, they are aware that the government is doing all it can to get them out,” Mr. Singh added.
![Union Minister V. K. Singh reviews rescue operation at Uttarkashi Tunnel collapse in Uttarkashi district on November 16, 2023. Union Minister V. K. Singh reviews rescue operation at Uttarkashi Tunnel collapse in Uttarkashi district on November 16, 2023.](https://th-i.thgim.com/public/incoming/61skmf/article67539372.ece/alternates/FREE_1200/WhatsApp%20Image%202023-11-16%20at%201.24.46%20PM.jpeg)
Union Minister V. Okay. Singh critiques rescue operation at Uttarkashi Tunnel collapse in Uttarkashi district on November 16, 2023.
| Picture Credit score:
Shashi Shekhar Kashyap
‘Labourers being supplied necessary items’
“95% of installation work is complete,” Navayuga Engineering Firm Public Relations Officer G.L. Nath stated. The corporate is constructing the tunnel on behalf of the NHIDCL.
Mr. Nath stated the labourers are being provided crucial objects each half an hour and they’re wholesome.
The plan is to make use of the ‘American auger’ machine to drill by the rubble of the tunnel’s collapsed portion and insert 800-mm and 900-mm diameter sections of delicate metal pipes — one after the opposite. As soon as this occurs, the employees trapped on the opposite aspect of the rubble can crawl out to security.
A portion of the tunnel, a part of the formidable Char Dham all-weather street challenge, collapsed on Nov. 12. The 30-metre collapsed part is 270 metres from the mouth of the tunnel from the Silkyara aspect.
A six-bed makeshift hospital has been arrange and 10 ambulances with skilled medical doctors stationed outdoors the tunnel to offer rapid medical care to the trapped staff after their evacuation.
(with PTI inputs)