Uttarkashi Tunnel Collapse: The ninth day of rescue operations to extract 41 workers from under the rubble of a collapsed tunnel in Uttarakhand's Uttarkashi witnessed several developments, including the laying of a second pipeline through the debris which an official said would be used to deliver food and water to the trapped labourers. During the day, officials present at the scene declared that all the labourers trapped under the rubble were safe.
Monday also saw two robots sent by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to aid in rescue efforts arriving at the incident site. Meanwhile, the rescue operation in-charge said mobile phones and chargers would be sent to the people trapped inside the tunnel, which had partially caved in on November 12.
Latest Updates On Uttarkashi Rescue Operation:
1. Rescue operation in-charge Colonel Deepak Patil said officials were mulling the installation of a WiFi connection inside the tunnel. "We will send food, mobile, and chargers to the people who are trapped inside the tunnel. We will also try to install a WiFi connection inside," he was quoted as saying by news agency ANI on Monday.
2. The Director of National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation (NHIDCL), Anshu Manish Khulko, on Monday said that an "alternative 6-inch lifeline" reached the labourers after drilling was conducted for 53 metres. Earlier a 4-inch pipeline was laid along the collapsed Silkyara tunnel to deliver food and water to the trapped labourers.
"This 6-inch pipe is 53 meters long. This is a breakthrough for us. Apart from being an alternative lifeline, this will give us the facility that now we will be able to send both oxygen and food. And food which has nutritional value can be sent to the trapped labourers," Khulko stated.
3. Khulko also said that all the workers trapped under the debris of the Silkyara tunnel were safe. "All the 41 people are safe inside," he told the media on Monday.
4. According to the official, two robots sent by the DRDO to aid in rescue efforts have arrived at the incident site, however, given the nature of the ground inside the collapsed tunnel, it is being contemplated if the robots should be sent there or not.
"DRDO has sent 2 robots weighing 20 kg and 50 kg respectively. The robots move on the ground and the land is working like sand, we are apprehending whether or not would the robots be able to move there," the official stated.
5. He added that other machinery is expected to reach the site of the rescue operation within the next one or two days. "All machinery is coming, they are mobilised and will be here within a day or two."
6. Khulko further said that the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has finished constructing approach roads so that the machinery required in the rescue operation can be delivered by road. "BRO is constructing roads wherever necessary on this end and the Barkot end. Roads are ready on both sides, now we are waiting for the machinery. The machines are very heavy, they cannot be airlifted," he said.
(With inputs from ANI)