CM visits Silkyara Tunnel Collapse Site
By Arun Pratap Singh
Uttarkashi/Dehradun, 13 Nov: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami visited the Silkyara Tunnel site in district Uttarkashi for a ground inspection of operations underway to rescue the trapped workers. The landslide occurred yesterday morning. During his visit, he took stock of the ongoing operations to rescue the workers. He went to the tunnel to find out the status of rescue operations.
After his return from Uttarkashi, the CM also addressed the media at the Secretariat in Dehradun to update them on the rescue operation.
During the inspection, the CM directed the officials to speed up the rescue work. He underlined that saving the lives of the 40 workers trapped in the tunnel is the top priority of the government at present. The Chief Minister assured that all kind of resources and technical assistance as required from outside for the rescue operation would be provided as early as possible. He also asked the officials engaged in the rescue operation as well as the senior district administration officials to inform the government immediately of any help that may be required anytime during the operation.
Dhami asserted that all possible options are being considered for relief and rescue operations. Arrangements have been made to send large diameter HUME pipes from Haridwar and Dehradun for rescue operations. These pipes can supply food, water and oxygen for the workers trapped in the tunnel. He expressed confidence that the workers trapped inside the tunnel would soon be rescued safely.
Dhami informed the media that a bridge over 4 kilometres long is under construction in Uttarkashi, but due to landslides, the road to Silkyara Tunnel has been closed. Debris has continued to fall. Dhami claimed that the rescue work is going on at a fast pace. Besides, oxygen, water and food items are also being supplied to the trapped workers. He admitted that safely evacuating the workers remains a big challenge for the administration. Keeping in mind the safety of the workers, the relief work is being done manually. Central Government teams are also present at the spot.
CM said that he is in constant touch with the people engaged in the rescue operation and had also spoken to the people trapped inside the tunnel. There is a stretch of about 200 metres where people are stranded but power supply is being made available to them. At present, the workers are completely safe. Teams of the NDRF, SDRF, Railways and experts are present at the spot.
Dhami informed the media that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had also sought detailed information over a telephonic call regarding the condition of the workers trapped in the tunnel and about the relief and rescue operations underway. The Prime Minister has assured all possible help to deal with this accident.
District Magistrate Abhishek Ruhela, Superintendent of Police Arpan Yaduvanshi, NHIDCL and other agency officials have revealed that the work of removing debris is being carried out continuously. Heavy excavator machines have been mobilised to remove the debris. Messages have been exchanged through pipes with the workers trapped in the tunnel. Oxygen is being supplied through a pipeline. Through this pipeline, packets of chana (Bengal Gram) have been sent to the workers at night under pressure through a compressor to help them survive.
Garhwal Division Commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey, who reached the incident site along with the Chief Minister, also gave necessary instructions to the officials regarding relief and rescue operations.
Yamunotri MLA Sanjay Dobhal, Development Block Chief (Dunda) Shailendra Koli, BJP district president Satyendra Rana and national secretary Swaraj Vidvan were also present during the CM’s visit.
Rescue team inching closer to workers trapped in Silkyara Tunnel
It may take another day or two to reach workers: Rescue Team
By Our Staff Reporter
Uttarkashi, 13 Nov: As per the evening update provided by the rescue teams in Silkyara, they have been able to clear the tunnel of debris up to a distance of 25 metres and are now inching closer to the trapped workers.
The rescue operation continues for the second day after the landslide in the under-construction tunnel in Uttarkashi. Rescuers managed to penetrate 25 metres into the tunnel by this afternoon, while debris needs to be cleared for a further distance of 35 metres in order to reach the trapped workers. As per the latest update, the stranded workers are safe. Oxygen along with food and water has been supplied to them through pipes.
Apart from Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, Disaster Management Secretary Dr Ranjit Kumar Sinha reached the spot and took stock of the situation. He stated that the place where landslide occurred on Sunday morning is soft rock and that is the reason for the landslide. The work of removing debris with JCB and other machines is also going on. There is enough oxygen in the cavity to last about five to six days. Apart from this, additional oxygen is also being sent through a pipeline.
Apart from oxygen, food packets and water are also being supplied. A special boring machine has been requisitioned from Dehradun which is expected to arrive soon. With the help of this boring machine, a pipe of two and a half feet diameter is being planned to be inserted for the evacuation of the workers. Sources claimed that this work may take another one to two days.
It is learnt that the workers trapped in the tunnel are mostly from UP, Bihar, Jharkhand and Odisha.
The rescuers have established contact with the trapped workers on walkie-talkies and all the workers are safe.
The under-construction tunnel of the Navayuga company from Silkyara to Dandalgaon on the Yamunotri National Highway collapsed at 5 a.m. on Sunday. Uttarkashi District Magistrate Abhishek Ruhela has cancelled the leaves of all officials in the district.
The tunnel is a part of the Char Dham project and is supposed to connect Silkyara to Dangal Gaon, reducing the distance between the two places by at least 25 kms when completed.
