New Delhi: The Silkyara tunnel rescue operation in Uttarakhand has reached ‘final moment’ and the 41 trapped workers could soon be walking free within hours, if no roadblock or impediment occurs.
साइंस 🤝 सनातन
टनलिंग एक्सपर्ट #ArnoldDix #उत्तरकाशी में मजदूरों को सकुशल निकालने के लिए प्रार्थना कर रहे हैं।
ये संगम आप पूरे विश्व में इसी भारतभूमि पर देख सकते हैं।#Uttarakhandtunnelrescue #Uttarakhand #RescueOperation pic.twitter.com/GwPwYnWFUM— Dr Harsh Vardhan (@drharshvardhan) November 28, 2023
साइंस 🤝 सनातन
टनलिंग एक्सपर्ट #ArnoldDix #उत्तरकाशी में मजदूरों को सकुशल निकालने के लिए प्रार्थना कर रहे हैं।
ये संगम आप पूरे विश्व में इसी भारतभूमि पर देख सकते हैं।#Uttarakhandtunnelrescue #Uttarakhand #RescueOperation pic.twitter.com/GwPwYnWFUM— Dr Harsh Vardhan (@drharshvardhan) November 28, 2023
#WATCH | Garlands brought to Silkyara tunnel rescue site in anticipation of early rescue of 41 trapped workers#Uttarakhand pic.twitter.com/71opSj1sKt
— ANI (@ANI) November 28, 2023
Pipe laying work completed, evacuation soon says CM Dhami
“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,” CM Dhami said in a post on X.
#WATCH | 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.” pic.twitter.com/sRmEz5Dp64
— ANI (@ANI) November 28, 2023
#WATCH | Uttarkashi (Uttarakhand) tunnel rescue | Latest drone visuals show the latest status of the operation to rescue the 41 workers trapped inside Silkyara tunnel.
Uttarakhand CM tweets, “…work of inserting the pipe inside the tunnel is complete. All the workers will be… pic.twitter.com/vaiDRAnybC
— ANI (@ANI) November 28, 2023
Rat-mining experts close in, 3 meter digging left; rescue likely soon
Reports citing senior officials supervising rescue operation said that the rescue operation was a matter of just few hours now, if no impediment or roadblock happens.
The rat-hold mining experts started manual drilling through the rubble on Monday and today have closed in on the trapped workers. They are reportedly metres away from breaking into the tunnel. Latest reports suggest that there are just 3 metres of rubble between the rescue teams and trapped workers.
A total of 12 rat-mining experts were engaged in the rescue operation. They started horizontal manual digging while vertical digging was also being done, in desperate attempt to reach to the stranded workers.
Out of the 57 metre stretch, the miners are said to have reached 55.3 meters.
The rat-mining took over the operation after American auger machine saw irreparable damages.
Activity picks up outside tunnel, ambulances moved in
While the rat-mining teams are said to be meters away from the area of tunnel that caved in on October 12, a buzz of activity could be seen outside the site.
Ambulances are being moved in and those rescue & NDRF personnel outside the tunnel are seen gearing up for action.
#WATCH | Uttarkashi tunnel rescue | An ambulance being taken inside the tunnel. As per the latest update, pipe has been inserted up to 55.3 metres. pic.twitter.com/ULnuwq2RrS
— ANI (@ANI) November 28, 2023
The family members and relatives of workers holed inside the tunnel are heaving a sigh of relief over operation reaching near closure. They are waiting for the exit of their loved ones with bated breath.
In past couple of days, the rescue teams reached very close to excavating the trapped workers but it got thwarted as the mission got hit by unforeseen circumstances & setbacks.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami had arrived at the spot to personally monitor the rescue operation.
Briefing the press, he exuded confidence that it would be done smoothly in couple of hours.
“It is expected that there will be a breakthrough around 57 metres. More of concrete is being cut with cutter,” he told newsmen.
#WATCH | Uttarkashi tunnel rescue | Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami says, “PM collects details on the workers every day. Today, he sought information about the relatives of the workers – arrangements for them, accommodation for them, their condition and the condition of people… pic.twitter.com/csIyoYumBe
— ANI (@ANI) November 28, 2023