Uttarkashi Tunnel Accident: Team gets big success, now food will reach laborers easily

The ongoing rescue operation in the Silkyara Tunnel in Uttarakhand achieved a significant success on Monday when the rescue workers ‘drilled’ into the blocked part of the tunnel and inserted a 53 meter long six-inch diameter pipeline through the debris through which the tunnel has been closed for the last eight days. Large quantities of food items, communication equipment and other essential items will be delivered to the 41 stranded workers.

Earlier, four-inch pipes were being used to supply oxygen, light food items, dry fruits, medicines and water to the workers. Now bread and vegetables can also be sent to the workers through this pipeline, which is being called the second ‘life line’.

National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) Director Anshu Manish Khalko, Uttarkashi District Magistrate Abhishek Ruhela and Colonel Deepak Patil, in-charge of the rescue operation conducted inside the tunnel, jointly gave this information to the media.

Khalko said that this is the ‘first success’ of the rescue operation that has been going on for the last several days and after this, efforts to rescue the workers will be intensified as soon as possible.

“We have sent a 53-metre pipe to the other side of the debris and we can now hear and feel the (trapped inside) workers,” he said.

With the laying of this pipeline, the confidence of keeping the lives of the workers trapped inside safe has increased manifold due to which happiness and enthusiasm is being seen among the workers and their families as well as the people engaged in rescue operations.

Meanwhile, Dr. Neeraj Khairwal, Secretary, Government of Uttarakhand, along with officials of the project and district administration, inspected the tunnel and took stock of the rescue operation.