A major breakthrough was achieved in the rescue operations to get the 41 trapped workers in Silkyara tunnel in Uttarkashi out, after the rescuers reached the trapped workers in the evening of 17th day of the rescue ops today. Then the labourers were rescued one after another from the tunnel. Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami, who was present at the spot, met the workers outside the tunnel extending them his wishes.
"The success of the rescue operation of our labour brothers in Uttarkashi is making everyone emotional. I want to say to the friends who were trapped in the tunnel that your courage and patience are inspiring everyone.... Everyone involved in this mission has set an amazing example of humanity and teamwork," posted PM Modi on his X handle.
The perseverance of the rescue team yielded results after they successfully rescued all the workers who were stuck in the tunnel for 17 long days. All the rescued workers were reportedly healthy.
After a long-drawn operation, the rescue workers reach the trapped labourers and bring them out one after another
Five out of 41 workers trapped inside the tunnel successfully rescued.
5 trapped workers reportedly come out of the tunnel
"There has been a great success in the ongoing rescue operation in the Silkyara Tunnel, the work of pipe pushing has been done across the debris. Now preparations have been started to evacuate the workers safely," said Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami
Addressing a press conference, Lt Gen Syed Ata Hasnain (Retd), Member, NDMA, said, "It is estimated that it will take three to five minutes to evacuate each of the 41 persons."
Speaking on the Uttarkashi (Uttarakhand) tunnel rescue, Lieutenant General Syed Ata Hasnain (Retd.), Member, NDMA, told ANI, "...it will take the entire night to complete this operation."
On Silkyara tunnel rescue mission, Vishal Chauhan, Member, NHAI, said," NHAI has again started the work of audit of all tunnels. We are working on this with Delhi Metro Rail Corporation and one other agency."
Lieutenant General (Retd.) Syed Ata Hasnain, Member, NDMA, today said, "All safety precautions will be implemented. No premature announcements are to be made, it will be against all principles. We also have to take care of the safety and security of people who are rescuing the workers...We are not in any hurry..."
Chinook helicopter is present at Chinyalisaur airstrip to airlift the workers after their rescue from Silkyara tunnel.
Family members of the trapped workers who are expected to be rescued soon from the Silkyara tunnel in Uttarkashi say, "We are happy that they will be rescued soon. We will welcome them in a nice way. We had told them that the rescue team would reach them soon."
Preparations complete at Community Health Center Chinyalisaur for the treatment of 41 workers who will be brought here after they are rescued and brought out of Silkyara tunnel.
“As a result of the immense grace of Baba Baukh Nag Ji, prayers of crores of countrymen and the tireless work of all 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,” Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Dhami wrote on X.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami arrives at the site of Silkyara tunnel rescue.
Rescue workers broke through the 60-metre stretch of rubble in Silkyara tunnel in Uttarakhand on Tuesday, ending the ordeal of 41 workers trapped inside for 16 days.
A senior Uttarakhand official at the site said drilling was complete.
Asked by reporters, NHIDCL managing director Mahmood Ahmed did not immediately confirm the development but said the last section of the escape pipe was being pushed through the drilled passage.
A portion of the tunnel collapsed on November 12, blocking the exit of 41 workers inside.
(PTI)
An ambulance being taken inside the tunnel. As per the latest update, pipe has been inserted up to 55.3 metres.
"We are still mining. We have got a couple of more metres to go...We are expecting to see some results by 5 pm. 2-3 metres are left," Micro tunnelling expert Chris Cooper was quoted saying to ANI.
Pipes have been inserted up to 52 metres through the rubble at Silkyara tunnel, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said Tuesday as efforts to rescue the 41 workers trapped there continued for the 17th day. Read more...
Vertical drilling on the hill has been stopped for the time being as manual drilling is going on successfully inside the tunnel. The process of changing machines in vertical drilling is being completed.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi called up Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami once again on Tuesday and took information regarding the relief and rescue work of workers trapped in the tunnel. The Chief Minister said that quality food is being sent regularly to all the workers trapped inside. All the workers are also being kept in constant communication with doctors and psychiatrists.
International Tunneling Expert, Arnold Dix said ANI, "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.."
The relatives of the 41 trapped workers have been asked to be prepared and keep the clothes and bags of the workers ready. The workers will be taken to Chinyalisaur hospital after being rescued and brought out.
So far, 43 metres of vertical drilling for the 1.2 metres diameter pipe from the top of the hill has been completed. Reportedly, 78 metres of vertical drilling for the 8 mm diameter pipe from the top of the hill has also been completed and manual drilling is underway smoothly, inside the tunnel.