Uttarakhand tunnel collapse: ‘Auger machine is finished’; official explains delay in rescue
Uttarkashi: The authorities working round the clock to evacuate 41 workers trapped in a partially collapsed tunnel in Uttarkashi, brought out the damaged Auger machine on Saturday morning. The rest of the rescue operation -- which entered its 14th day today -- will be completed through manual drilling.
Rescue operations for trapped workers in Uttarakhand's Silkyara under-construction road tunnel faced setbacks as the US-made Auger machine sustained irreparable damage, halting drilling efforts. With minimal distance separating rescuers from the trapped individuals, manual drilling methods are now in use, reported ANI.
Arnold Dix, a tunneling expert, confirmed the Auger machine's breakdown, stating its irreparable state and cessation of further drilling. Frequent machine failures significantly delayed rescue attempts, requiring the machine to be repositioned every obstruction, consuming 5-7 hours each time, stated an anonymous senior official to ANI.
The rescue team's shift to manual drilling aims to expedite progress despite obstructions, ensuring minimal time loss. Ground-penetrating radar confirmed no large objects within the tunnel's initial 5-meter span.
Considering vertical drilling alternatives, the Border Roads Organization (BRO) has been summoned to facilitate the operation, seeking a joint decision from Sutlej Jal Vidyut Nigam (SJVN) and Oil and Natural Gas Corporation, ANI reported.
Since the tunnel's partial collapse on November 12, 41 workers remain trapped within a 2-km-built section, provided with essential supplies. The rescue mission continues amidst technical challenges, awaiting a viable solution for the workers' safe extraction.