Uttarakhand tunnel collapse: Rat-hole miners few metres away from trapped workers
Rescue efforts are ongoing for the 41 workers trapped in the Silkyara tunnel in Uttarakhand for the 17th day.
Uttarkashi: As per the latest update in the Uttarakhand Tunnel collapse rescue operation, the rat-hole miners are at a distance of just three metres from the workers. There is a high possibility of the rescue operation getting completed by 5 pm today.
Rescue efforts are ongoing for the 41 workers trapped in the Silkyara tunnel in Uttarakhand for the 17th day. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami provided an update, stating that pipes have been inserted up to 52 metres through the rubble. The breakthrough point is reportedly at 57 metres. CM Dhami mentioned that even stones are posing a challenge, but they are being broken using cutters.
Rat hole mining experts have been brought in to assist in the rescue operation of the Uttarakhand tunnel collapse. Manual drilling began on Monday through the rubble, with 12 experts working on the last stretch of the debris in the collapsed portion of the tunnel. Simultaneously, vertical drilling from above the tunnel has reached a depth of 36 metres out of the required 86 metres.
Due to a snag in the auger machine, an alternative option of drilling down from above the tunnel was pursued. About 40 percent of the required 86-metre vertical drilling has been completed. For the manual drilling through the rubble, individual workers have been equipped with drills and gas cutters. They are handling the final stretch in the rescue mission of Uttarakhand tunnel collapse incident.
Speaking to ANI, International Tunneling Expert Arnold Dix said, “We have been positive before and I am positive today. Today is the first day I said, “I feel good.”…The drilling along the top of the mountain is coming along perfectly. In the tunnel, it is coming along very well. So, I feel good…The mountain has told us one thing, that is to be humble…41 men, home safe and then you will be reporting the most extraordinary thing.”
