New Delhi: The rescue group on the Silkyara tunnel in Uttarkashi is working around the clock to save lots of 41 employees who’ve been trapped contained in the tunnel since November 12, when a landslide blocked the doorway. The group is dealing with challenges in laying down two pipelines which are essential for the rescue operation.
The employees had been engaged on a tunnel challenge from Silkyara to Barkot when the catastrophe struck. They’re caught in a 60-meter stretch of the tunnel on the Silkyara facet. The rescue group has been utilizing a horizontal drilling machine to insert pipes into the tunnel, however they confronted some problem in slicing the metal rods in the way in which.
Colonel Deepak Patil, who’s main the rescue efforts of the Nationwide Highways and Infrastructure Growth Company Restricted (NHIDCL), informed ANI on Thursday morning that the work of laying down two pipelines continues to be left and their size is roughly 12 metres.
“Nevertheless, the metal rods within the particles have been eliminated by the Andaman group by means of a fuel cutter and the obstruction on the way in which has been eradicated,” he mentioned.
“The entrance a part of the final pipe was broken; the work of slicing it is happening. We have now to affix two joints, it can take 6 hours. At present, solely a 44-meter pipeline is being laid formally,” he added.
On Wednesday, rescue officer Harpal Singh, who can be the challenge head of the Zoji-la Tunnel challenge in Kashmir, mentioned that the rescue group was assured of reaching the trapped employees by Thursday morning.
“We have now drilled 44 meters into the tunnel. However we now have encountered some metal rods that the machine can’t minimize. So, the NDRF personnel will use a gas-cutter to chop them. Then we are going to use the machine once more,” he mentioned.
“I’m assured that we are able to minimize the metal items in an hour and push two extra pipes within the subsequent 5 hours. Then we are able to begin the rescue operation,” he mentioned late on Wednesday evening.
The rescue operation has been occurring for the previous 12 days.
The employees are believed to be protected contained in the tunnel, which is 8.5 meters excessive and a couple of kilometers lengthy. The tunnel has electrical energy and water provide for the employees. The NDRF group has additionally carried oxygen cylinders to the tunnel.
An ambulance and a group of docs are additionally prepared contained in the tunnel and on the Neighborhood Well being Centre in Chinyalisaur, the place a 41-bed hospital has been arrange for the employees. Chief Minister Pushkar Dhami can be current in Uttarkashi to supervise the operation.
