A six-inch pipe has been installed into the debris by agencies working around the clock to rescue the 41 workers trapped inside a partially collapsed tunnel in Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi district. This pipe will allow authorities to provide solid food to the trapped workers as well as improve communication.
According to Anshu Mansish Khalkho, director of NHIDCL, rescue workers were able to communicate with the workers via the newly installed pipe.
“We’ve made our first breakthrough, which we’d been working on for the past nine days and was our top priority.” They (trapped workers) can hear us through a 6-inch pipe that has been installed. We will now supply them with food and medical supplies via that pipe,” he said.
One of the government agencies involved in the massive rescue operation is the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL).
Two robots have been deployed by the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO).
“DRDO has sent 2 robots weighing 20 kg and 50 kg respectively. The robots move on the ground. The loose ground there has raised apprehensions whether the robots will be able to move there or not. Other machinery will be there within a day or two,” he added.
He stated that the Border Road Organization is building roads wherever they are needed.
“BRO is constructing roads on this end and the Barkot end as needed.” The roads on both sides are complete; all that remains is for the machinery. “Because the machines are so heavy, they can’t be airlifted,” he added.
The rescue operation, according to Uttarkashi district magistrate Abhishek Ruhela, is nearing completion.
“It is nearing completion; official information will be released soon…The most important thing is to build an approach road through BRO, which we hope to finish tonight or early tomorrow morning from this end, and the action will begin soon,” he said.
The authorities had been sending dry fruits, water, and medicines into the tunnel via four-inch pipes. The larger-diameter pipe will allow them to bring in solid food.
On Monday morning, the DRDO’s Robotics Machine Team arrived at the site.
The agencies are also attempting to drill perpendicularly into the tunnel.
There is electricity and water available in this section of the tunnel.
On November 12, the tunnel, which was part of the Central Government’s ambitious Char Dham project, collapsed, trapping 41 workers inside.
Stay Update with FELA NEWS|
Source: HT
