Uttarkashi Tunnel Collapse: Tunnel expert reveals challenges in the rescue of 41 trapped workers

Fifteen days have passed but 41 workers remain trapped inside the Silkyara tunnel in Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi. Government organisations from different sectors have stepped up to evacuate the trapped men safely. From NDRF to DRDO, rescue teams are putting all the efforts to evacuate the stranded workers as soon as possible. On November 26, Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, Pushkar Singh Dhami met with the family members of the trapped worker. He also informed about the current situation and the progress of the rescue operations. On November 25, the blades of the auger machine being used for rescue operations were damaged. The machine was damaged while trying to make a hole in the tunnel to pave a path for the escape of rescue workers. A micro tunnelling expert, Chris Cooper has also been roped in to assist in the rescue mission. On Nov 25, NDMA Member Lt General Syed Ata Hasnain (Retd.) said that it is a situation “exactly like war”. Also protection umbrella was being laid inside the tunnel for the protection of the rescue teams. A portion of the tunnel caved in on Nov 12 leading to the  Uttarkashi Tunnel Collapse, the debris falling in the Silkyara side of the tunnel trapped 41 labourers.