Uttarkashi tunnel collapse: 2 meters of drilling still remains before making contact with 41 workers

Relatives pray at the site of Sikyara tunnel rescue operation site in Uttarakhand. (PTI)

Rescue teams to save the 41 workers trapped in Uttarakhand's Silkyara tunnel are just 2 meters away from workers, who have been trapped in the Silkyara tunnel for 16 days, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) said on November 28.

Rescue operations are near a breakthrough and as many as 12 rat-hole mining experts were called in to finish the last stretch of drilling by using hand-held tools in a confined space after the broken parts of the auger drilling machine were removed from the rubbles.

Giving an update on the rescue operations, NDMA Member Lt Gen (retd) Syed Ata Hasnain told reporters that 58 metres of drilling has been done, and the rescue pipe has to be pushed towards the trapped workers by another two meters.

"We are near a breakthrough but not yet there," Hasnain said, adding that trapped workers have heard the sounds of machines.

Once the breakthrough is achieved, it would take 3-4 hours to bring out all the trapped workers, Hasnain said.

"It will take 4-5 mins to pull out each worker on a wheeled stretcher through the pipe and therefore in total it will take around 3-4 hours to complete the evacuation process," he added.

He also said that rat miners did a phenomenal job by digging 10 metres in less than 24 hours. Hasnain said all security and safety precautions are being taken for workers trapped inside the Silkyara tunnel and for those engaged in rescue operations.

"We are not in a hurry," Hasnain said, and added facilities are in place to provide medical aid to the workers. After the rescue, workers will be kept under medical observation for 48-72 hours.

"Vertical drilling is also still ongoing at the Silkyara tunnel, in case the horizontal drilling faces further obstacles," Hasnain added.

At the time of reporting 45 mtrs of vertical drilling had been completed, Hasnain added.

He also said that Chinook helicopters are available to airlift the workers after their rescue from the Silkyara tunnel in case of emergency till sunset after which ambulances will take workers to Rishikesh in case of an emergency.

Earlier Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami  had said on X, "With the blessing of Baba Baukh Nag Ji, prayers of crores of countrymen and the tireless work of the rescue teams engaged in the rescue operation, the work of laying pipes in the tunnel to take out the workers has been completed. Soon all the labourers will be taken out."  A senior Uttarakhand official at the site said drilling was complete.

However, Uttarakhand Secretary and Nodal Officer for Silkayara rescue operation, Neeraj Khairwal, then clarified that pipes were pushed in for 55.3 metres.

“Only a little more distance remains...It might be somewhere between 57-59 metres...It might take a few more hours if there are no more hurdles...By evening we are hoping...Let's pray and hope for the best,” he said.

Police have been deployed outside the tunnel and paramedics have been kept on standby. An air ambulance has also been deployed. Earlier, workers were seen carrying mattresses inside the tunnel.

A separate ward comprising 41 oxygen-supported beds has been readied at the community health centre in Chinyalisaur. The road outside the tunnel, which became uneven due to regular movement of heavy vehicles over the past fortnight was being repaired and a fresh layer of soil was being laid for smooth movement of ambulances.

On 12th November 2023, a collapse occurred in the under-construction tunnel from Silkyara to Barkot due to debris falling in a 60-meter stretch on the Silkyara side. Immediate mobilization of resources by the State and Central Governments ensued to rescue the 41 trapped labours.

Initially opting for a 900 mm pipe through the debris, safety concerns led to the exploration of multiple rescue options simultaneously. The area of entrapment, measuring 8.5 meters in height and 2 kilometres in length, is the built-up portion of the tunnel, offering safety to the labours with available electricity and water supply.

Five agencies — Oil and Natural Gas Corp, SJVNL (formerly known as Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam), Rail Vikas Nigam, NHIDCL, and THDC India — have been assigned specific responsibilities, working collaboratively with occasional task adjustments for operational efficiency.