Govt adopts 5 options to rescue 41 workers stuck in Uttarkashi tunnel
On November 17, there was a sound of earth movement and the sensors corroborated movement of earth and it became unsafe to continue with this option without securing the structure. Considering the lives involved, it was decided to move on all possible fronts together so that the workers can be rescued as early as possible
Uttarkashi tunnel
By Our Special Correspondent
New Delhi, November 18: While 41 workers remain stuck in the Uttarkashi tunnel, the Central government after a high level meeting has decided to work on all fronts to save lives of the labourers trapped in the tunnel at Silkyara. In a high level meeting, various options were examined based on technical advice and five options are to be pursued, sources said.
The meeting took place amid reports that the rescue operation had been put on hold following technical snags in the drilling equipment. The agencies are trying to approach the trapped workers through horizonal as well as vertical ways with necessary actions. “In addition to these five options, couple of additional pipes for redundancy of food support would also be put up,” sources added.
NHIDCL, ONGC, SJVNL, THDC and RVNL have been assigned one option each, sources said, adding that the BRO and construction wing of Indian Army have also been assisting in the rescue operation.
Mahmood Ahmed, MD, NHIDCL, has been made in-charge for coordination with all the Central agencies and has been stationed in Silkyara. “Government of Uttarakhand has made Neeraj Khairwal, Secretary, as the Nodal Officer for coordination. All the agencies concerned have posted senior officers at site. Government has given a clear direction that whatever is possible be done for the rescue operation,” added sources.
After the incident on November 12, the State Government and the Government of India mobilised resources immediately, sources said, adding “senior Officials from NDRF, SDRF, NHIDCL, RVNL, SJVNL and State Government Officials reached the spot immediately. It was decided to lay a pipe through the muck as it was the best and fastest possible solution as per the experts’ advice”. However, after initial attempt to lay pipe with Auger machine available with UK Jal Nigam, it was decided to get bigger American Auger Machine which was air-lifted from Delhi with the help of Air Force. Another Auger Machine was airlifted from Indore. “However, on November 17, there was a sound of earth movement and the sensors corroborated movement of earth and it became unsafe to continue with this option without securing the structure. Considering the lives involved, it was decided to move on all possible fronts together so that the workers can be rescued as early as possible,” added the sources.
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