Uttarkashi tunnel collapse: New machine installed to rescue trapped workers

Rescuers are set to use a new machine on Thursday (November 16) to drill a passage for the 40 workers trapped in an under-construction tunnel that collapsed four days back in Uttarakhand, officials said in Uttarkashi.

The 'American auger' machine was airlifted in parts by three Indian Air Force transport aircraft on Wednesday to replace the earlier equipment which failed to bore a passage for the workers to crawl out.

The latest machine was brought from Uttarakhand's Chinyalisaur airport, some 30 km from the Silkyara tunnel on the Char Dham route, and assembled at the accident site.

Installation of the heavy equipment, which began overnight, was almost complete and drilling will resume soon on the Brahmakhal-Yamunotri National Highway, the officials said.

The labourers are said to be safe as oxygen, electricity, medicines, food items and water were being constantly supplied to them through pipes.

"Ninety-five per cent of installation work is complete," Navayuga Engineering Co Public Relations Officer GL Nath said.

Workers safe

Nath said the labourers are being supplied necessary items every half hour.

The plan is to use the 'American auger' machine to drill through the rubble of the tunnel's collapsed portion and insert 800-mm and 900-mm diameter sections of mild steel pipes -- one after the other.

The workers trapped in the collapsed tunnel can crawl out to safety.

The first drilling machine turned out to be too slow. Also, falling debris inside the tunnel damaged the equipment and injured two rescue workers on Tuesday.

A portion of the tunnel, part of the ambitious Char Dham all-weather road project, collapsed on Sunday. The 30-metre collapsed section is 270 metres from the mouth of the tunnel from the Silkyara side.

A six-bed makeshift hospital has been set up and 10 ambulances with expert doctors stationed outside the tunnel to provide immediate medical care to the trapped workers after their evacuation.

Rising anger

On Wednesday, some workers chanted slogans at the mouth of the tunnel protesting against what they said was the slow pace of the rescue work.

Uttarkashi District Magistrate Abhishek Ruhela said officials are maintaining constant communication with the trapped workers and urged everyone not to lose patience.

"It may take some more time but all the trapped workers will be safely evacuated," Ruhela told PTI.

Fifteen of the trapped workers are from Jharkhand, eight from Uttar Pradesh, five from Odisha, four from Bihar, three from West Bengal, two each from Uttarakhand and Assam and one is from Himachal Pradesh.

(With agency inputs)