In Uttarkashi, efforts to rescue 41 workers trapped in a partially collapsed tunnel are ongoing. The damaged Auger machine, manufactured in the US, was removed for repairs after its blades encountered an obstacle. As the remaining rescue operation enters its 14th day, manual drilling will now be employed.
Due to repeated breakdowns in the Auger machine, causing delays, the decision was made to switch to manual drilling. The heavy-duty drillers were moved back 22 meters, leaving 6-9 meters of debris to be cleared manually. Arnold Dix, a tunneling expert, confirmed the irreparable damage to the Auger machine, stating that there will be no further drilling or use of a new auger.
A senior official revealed that the Auger machine’s frequent breakdowns were causing setbacks, requiring the machine to be pulled back 50 meters for repairs each time it hit an obstruction. This process resulted in delays of 5-7 hours for the rescue operation.
To expedite the rescue, the officials decided to extend the pipeline manually over short distances, anticipating quicker resolutions to obstructions. The timeline for the rescue remains uncertain, but officials express hope for a positive outcome.
To assess the tunnel, a rescue team utilized ground-penetrating radar (GPR) and found no heavy objects within the first 5 meters. The Border Roads Organization (BRO) has been tasked with transporting equipment for vertical drilling, an option being considered after the horizontal drilling from the Silyara side faced an obstacle.
The 41 trapped workers have been inside the tunnel since November 12, receiving essential supplies such as food, water, medicines, and oxygen. Despite challenges, authorities remain optimistic about the ongoing rescue efforts.
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