The evacuation of the trapped workers inside the Silkyara tunnel started after a long wait of 17 days as a multi-agency rescue operation faced several challenges in creating an escape route after the under-construction tunnel in Uttarkashi collapsed on November 12 following a landslide.
Rescue workers drilled through the 60-metre stretch of rubble of the collapsed Silkyara tunnel in which 41 workers were trapped for the last 16 days, officials said.
A portion of the under-construction tunnel in Uttarkashi district, part of the Narendra Modi government's ambitious 'Char Dham' project, caved in a fortnight ago, trapping 41 labourers. Since then rescue operations have begun.
Uttarkashi tunnel updates: The rescue workers on Tuesday drilled through the 60-metre stretch of the rubble of the collapsed Silkyara tunnel in which 41 workers have been trapped for the last 16 days. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami spoke to workers who were rescued.
Adani Group released a statement condemning the reports linking the Uttarkashi collapse tunnel project with the conglomerate. The business group said it has no link with the project directly or indirectly
Uttarkashi tunnel collapse: The rescue operation entered day 16 on Monday morning. Rescuers began drilling into the hill above the Silkyara-Barkot tunnel on Sunday, boring nearly 20 metres on the first day of adopting the new approach to reach 41 workers who are trapped inside the debris.
The Uttarakhand Chief Minister has been closely tracking the ongoing efforts to safely evacuate the trapped workers. He is also in regular touch with officers on the spot.
The central as well as Uttarakhand governments are keeping constant communication and making all efforts to keep up the morale of the workers trapped in the tunnel in Uttarkashi.
Uttarkashi tunnel collapse: Labourers have been trapped inside the collapsed tunnel for the past 12 days. A multi-agency rescue operation including PMO officials are monitoring the progress.
Uttarkashi tunnel collapse: The Centre and the state government have been working together for the safe evacuation of the trapped labourers. NDRF personnel also carried oxygen cylinders at Uttarkashi's Silkyara tunnel to assist in the ongoing rescue operation.
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) will undertake safety audit of all 29 under-construction tunnels across the country, the Centre informed on Wednesday.
Earlier in the day, NHIDCL MD Mahmood Ahmed and Khulbe informed reporters that 39 meters had been drilled through the rubble, allowing the placement of three 800-mm-diameter pipes.
Uttarkashi tunnel collapse: The 150 packets of food items were supplied through a food pipe stuck through the collapsed part of the structure. The rescue operation has entered Day 11 on Wednesday.
Earlier today, first images of labourers, who were trapped for more than a week in under construction Silkyara Bend - Barkot tunnel in Uttarakhand's Uttarkashi district, emerged showing all of them safe.
The operation to rescue 41 trapped workers in Uttarkashi tunnel entered day 10 on Tuesday. The villagers of Silkyara believed that the accident took place due to the wrath of a local deity whose temple was demolished by the construction company, days before the incident on November 12.
Uttarkashi tunnel collapse: In an audio clip, first shared by India TV, a trapped worker is heard talking about their situation in the tunnel.
Uttarkashi tunnel collapse: The vertical drilling machine from the upper part of the hill above the tunnel has reached the site and was placed there to rescue 41 labourers who are trapped.
Earlier, rescue workers drilled 25 metres through the rubble in tunnel, inching closer to the 40 labourers trapped there for five days.
As many as 41 workers have been trapped for nine days now after a portion of an under-construction tunnel collapsed in Uttarkashi. International tunnelling exprt Arnold Dix reached at the accident site and said that all those trapped will be rescued.
41 workers are trapped inside the debris after a portion of the under-construction Silkyara tunnel in Uttarkashi collapsed on November 12. The rescue operations have been underway for over a week now. Heavy machines arrived at Silkyara tunnel this morning to carry forward the operation.
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