Indian authorities are intensifying their efforts to rescue 40 construction workers who have been trapped underground for more than a week.
The incident occurred while the workers were constructing a highway tunnel in the northern state of Uttarakhand. Although the workers are receiving essential supplies, including food and water, concerns have arisen as some are experiencing health issues such as vomiting and headaches, as per CNN.
India Tunnel Worker Rescue
TOPSHOT - Rescue workers stand at an entrance of the under construction road tunnel, days after it collapsed in the Uttarkashi district of India's Uttarakhand state on November 18, 2023. Indian rescuers said on November 18, they had paused efforts to reach 41 men trapped in a collapsed road tunnel after a cracking sound created a "panic situation" over the possibility of a further cave-in.
To enhance the rescue operation, state authorities have approved the purchase of additional equipment and manpower. The new strategies include constructing escape tunnels from the left and right sides of the tunnel and vertical drilling from the upper hill, which is already in progress. These measures aim to provide multiple options for reaching the trapped workers.
Rescue teams have been working tirelessly, using a high-powered drilling machine acquired on Thursday, to reach the stranded workers. However, the challenging mountain terrain poses risks of further debris falling and complicating rescue efforts.
Anshu Manish Khalkho, director of the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), stated, "We have opted for a pause-and-go approach to maintain balance." Rescuers have drilled approximately 25 meters (82 feet) into the collapsed tunnel, which accounts for about a third of the distance to the trapped workers. Currently, there are 60 meters of rubble separating them.
The rescue operation involves inserting pipes into the drilled hole and welding them together to create an escape route for the trapped workers. While the task may seem straightforward, it must be executed carefully to avoid vibrations that could impact the fragile terrain.
Additionally, a replacement drilling machine is being dispatched from the city of Indore to support the ongoing rescue operations after the original machine broke, Chronicles reported.
Read Also: Man in His 20s Commits Suicide at Disneyland by Jumping from Parking Structure
Indian Ministers Assess Trapped Workers' Rescue Efforts
Minister of Road Transport and Highways of India Nitin Gadkari and Chief Minister of Uttarakhand Pushkar Singh Dhami visited the location to assess the rescue efforts. Gadkari expressed optimism that, if the machines perform effectively, the workers could be rescued within two to three days. He reassured the public that the trapped workers are safe and in good spirits.
The tunnel collapse occurred as part of the Himalayan Char Dham Highway project, a significant infrastructure initiative aimed at improving connectivity in Uttarakhand and facilitating access to key pilgrimage sites. Despite the challenges, authorities are committed to ensuring the safe rescue of the trapped workers.
Multiple agencies, including the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), Sutluj Jal Vidyut Nigam (SJVNL), Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL), NHIDCL, and Tehri Hydro Development Corporation Limited (THDCL), are collaborating on the rescue mission, employing various strategies to expedite the operation. This includes vertical and horizontal drilling, creating supply pipelines, and reinforcing the existing tunnel.
The top priority remains saving the lives of the trapped workers, and expert teams are diligently working on all available options to achieve this goal. The ongoing efforts to maintain the workers' morale and ensure their safety are of paramount importance during this challenging rescue operation, The Indian Express reported.
Related Article: Aid Agencies Fail To Bring Supplies to Gaza Due to Fuel Shortages, Communications Blackout
