The Indian Air Force (IAF) on Monday airlifted over 36 tonnes of critical equipment which would be employed to rescue 41 labourers trapped under the debris of the Silkyara Tunnel in Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi.
IAF’s C-17 and C-130 J aircraft were used to push the task through, news agency ANI reported while quoting the IAF.
Indian Air Force assistance for the rescue operations at Uttarkashi continues unabated. Employing a C-17 and two C-130 J aircraft, the IAF airlifted another 36 tonnes of critical equipment today. IAF HADROps will continue until all the equipment is delivered: Indian Air Force pic.twitter.com/wPaMJi7Wlh
— ANI (@ANI) November 20, 2023
Meanwhile, a six-inch pipe has been laid at the Silkyara tunnel through which nutritious food and medicine will be supplied to the trapped workers. The Director of the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation (NHIDCL), Anshu Manish Khulko, said that the 'alternative 6-inch lifeline' reached the labourers after drilling 53 meters.
The major breakthrough will also ensure the supply of oxygen to the trapped workers.
Two robotics machines of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) also reached the mishap site. NHIDCL Director said an attempt was made to use the machine inside but the bid was unsuccessful as the strata and ruble inside (the tunnel) were very loose.
Earlier, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said the rescue operation at the Uttarkashi tunnel mishap site was going at a fast pace and senior officers were given the responsibility to ensure travel, accommodation and food arrangements for kin of trapped workers who want to travel to the tunnel site. Besides, a team of three officials was sent to the rescue site to join a coordination team to provide information to other states, news agency ANI reported while quoting the CM office.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi also dialled Dhami to take stock of the rescue operations.