Following a delay caused by a snag, process of drilling through rubble to create an escape route for 41 trapped workers in Silkyara tunnel is set to commence. Pics/PTI
Data obtained from a ground penetrating radar indicated no metallic obstructions up to five meters beyond the 46-meter mark within the rubble, providing insights into the tunnel's conditions.
Khulbe highlighted that despite the progress made, about 12-14 meters remain to be drilled. Challenges arose when a compressed part of an inserted pipe had to be cut off due to friction during drilling, reducing the length of penetration to 46 meters from the earlier achieved 48 meters.
The 41 workers have been trapped inside the tunnel for 12 days following the tunnel collapse on November 12 along the Uttarakhand Char Dham route, obstructing their exit.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and Union Minister Gen VK Singh visited Silkyara, continuing their stay in Uttarkashi to oversee and support the ongoing rescue operations.
Operational setbacks, including cracks in the drilling platform and the need to halt the process due to obstructions like an iron girder, have hindered the multi-agency rescue mission, causing several delays.
This incident marks the third time the drilling process has been halted since the commencement of the rescue mission, posing challenges and uncertainties in the efforts to create a safe passage for the trapped workers.
Officials remain optimistic about achieving successful drilling through the rubble and creating an escape route by the end of the day, provided no further complications arise during the ongoing rescue operation at Silkyara tunnel in Uttarkashi.
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