• Source:JND
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Rescue operations in the Uttarkashi tunnel continue for eight days as the rescue team in Uttarakhand battles time to evacuate 40 construction workers who have been trapped inside a partially collapsed tunnel at Silkyara, with different agencies assigned with specific alternatives to work on. 

As the workers remain stuck in the tunnel for a long time, their health and well-being are in grave danger. With time running out, officials will make a vertical opening from the hilltop today to rescue the workers trapped inside the collapsed tunnel who are left with limited food and communication.

Here are the top updates from the rescue operations 

  • Officials will today try to drill a vertical hole from the top of the hill. Work to build a platform to start vertical drilling began last evening after a high-performance drilling machine was brought to the site from Madhya Pradesh’s Indore.

  • The Centre also held a high-level meeting on Saturday where five rescue options based on the technical guidance were discussed with different agencies assigned with specific alternatives to work on. The operations will be executed by NHIDCL, ONGC, SJVNL, THDC and RVNL, reported PTI.

  • Bhaskar Khulbe, former advisor to the Prime Minister said that the experts were of the view that rather than working on just one plan they should also plan alternatives to reach out to the trapped workers. He said the workers are likely to be rescued in four-five days with concerted efforts from various agencies, reported NDTV. 

  • The BRO and the construction wing of the Indian Army have also been assisting in the rescue operation. On Saturday, the Indian Army was assigned to build a path to the top of the hill so that they could access the option of contacting the workers stuck inside by drilling vertically.

  • “150 soldiers of our own company are engaged in this work and a track of about 320 metres is to be constructed and then 80 to 120 metres needs to be drilled. We will work on war footing and track construction will be completed by 9 am on Sunday,’’ said Major Naman Narula as quoted by ANI.

  • Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami also held a review meeting with senior officials on Saturday and announced that the state government would provide accommodation, food and health facilities to the families of the workers trapped in the under-construction tunnel.

  • NHIDCL’s MD Mahmood Ahmed has been appointed in-charge for coordination with all the central agencies.

  • Doctors have emphasised the need for comprehensive rehabilitation for the trapped workers, fearing that the prolonged confinement may necessitate both mental and physical recovery processes.

    • (With inputs from agencies)

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