• By Mayukh Debnath
  • Tue, 28 Nov 2023 07:19 AM (IST)
  • Source:ANI
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Uttarkashi Tunnel Rescue Latest Updates: The rescue operations underway in Uttarakhand's Uttarkashi to save the 41 workers trapped under the debris of a collapsed tunnel entered its 16th day on Monday. During the day, the rescue team commenced manual drilling, one of the steps that were being contemplated since the breaking down of the auger machine, which was being used in horizontal drilling, last week. The process of manual drilling is being carried out by Indian Army engineers, 'rat miners', and other technicians, as per officials overseeing the rescue efforts.

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Moreover, the damaged auger machine, which had gotten stuck in the rubble, was cut into pieces using a plasma cutter and, subsequently, its parts were extracted from the Silkyara tunnel, officials informed. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Principal Secretary visited the incident site and took stock of the situation. While addressing a programme in Hyderabad, PM Modi urged the country to pray for the safety of the stranded labourers.

Uttarkashi Tunnel Rescue Day 16 Updates:

- Manual drilling at the Silkyara tunnel has been completed till a depth of 1.6 metres and a pipe has been pushed in up to the same extent, news agency ANI reported at 09:44 pm (Monday).

- Indian Army personnel, 'rat miners', and other technicians will be deployed to carry out the process of manual drilling, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) member Lieutenant General (Retd) Syed Ata Hasnain had said.

"The technique will be employed Now, the manual technique will be employed tonight with the help of Indian Army engineers, rat miners, and other technicians. They will move inside forming a group of two people," he was quoted as saying by ANI.

- While addressing the 'Koti Deepotsavam' programme in Telangana's Hyderabad on Monday, PM Modi urged the people to pray for safety of the labourers trapped inside the Silyara tunnel.

He said, "Today when we are praying to Gods and Goddesses and talking about the welfare of humanity, we also have to give place in our prayers to those labourers who are stuck in a tunnel in Uttarakhand for the last two weeks."

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- Principal Secretary to PM Modi, Dr PK Mishra, visited the incident site in Uttarkashi on Monday and took stock of the situation. He communicated with the workers trapped under the debris of the collapsed tunnel. He also interacted with the family members of the distressed labourers.

- The broken blades of the damaged auger machine, which got damaged last week while drilling through the layers of the debris, were completely retrieved in the morning Lt Gen (Retd) Hasnain informed.

"The broken blades of the auger machine that were not completely retrieved yesterday have been fully retrieved in the morning today. There were some obstacles while doing so, but the damage has now been fixed," he stated.


(With inputs from ANI)

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