Uttarakhand Tunnel Collapse Rescue Operation: Firoz Qureshi and Monu Kumar, experts in ‘rat hole mining’ technique, were the first to clear the last portion of the debris and meet the 41 workers trapped in the Silkyara tunnel in Uttarakhand. All 41 workers were rescued safely on Tuesday evening after a massive 17-day operation conducted by the central and state governments. Delhi resident Firoz Qureshi and Uttar Pradesh’s Monu Kumar were part of a 12-member team of ‘rat-hole mining’ technology experts who were tasked with digging after the American ‘auger’ machine faced problems while clearing debris on Sunday. Was called.
Firoz Qureshi, a resident of Khajuri Khas, Delhi, told PTI, ‘When we reached the last part of the debris, they (laborers) could hear us. Immediately after removing the debris, we descended to the other side. He said, ‘The workers thanked me and hugged me. He even lifted me on his shoulders. Firoz Qureshi said that he was more happy than the workers. Qureshi is an employee of Delhi-based Rockwell Enterprises and is an expert in tunneling work.
Monu Kumar, a resident of Bulandshahr in Uttar Pradesh, said, ‘They (laborers) gave me almonds and asked my name. After this, our other colleagues also joined us and we stayed there for about half an hour. He said that after them the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel went inside the tunnel. Monu Kumar said, ‘We came back only after the arrival of NDRF personnel.’
He said, ‘We are very happy to be a part of this historic campaign.’ Lawyer Hassan, who heads the 12-member team of Rockwell Enterprises, said that four days ago a company involved in the rescue operation had contacted him for help. Hasan said, “The work was delayed while removing part of the ‘auger’ machine from the debris. We started the work at 3 pm on Monday and finished the work at 6 pm on Tuesday. He said, “We had said that the work would be completed in 24 to 36 hours and we did the same.” He also said that. He did not take any money for participating in the rescue operation.