By Our Staff Reporter
Dehradun, 18 Nov: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami today stated that the Silkyara tunnel rescue work is going on war footing. Under the guidance of PMO, the state government is making all efforts to safely rescue all the workers trapped in the tunnel. The help of latest technology used in the country and the world is being taken for the rescue of people trapped in the tunnel.
Dhami expressed hope that the success in rescuing all the trapped workers will be achieved soon. He is also continuously seeking updates on the rescue operation. The Chief Minister today reviewed the ongoing rescue operations for the rescue of workers with senior officials in a meeting held at CM’s official residence. During this, the Chief Minister gave clear instructions to the officials that every necessary step should be taken to deal with the obstacles coming in the rescue operation.
The Chief Minister informed that the work of tunnel construction is being done by NHIDCL. The tunnel work was about to be completed. Only 400 metres length was left to get through but the landslide has affected the work now. He added that NHIDCL was not only constructing the work but also monitoring the work but now the government has decided to review all such construction works including that of the tunnel construction. 
Dhami said that all the tunnel projects in the state will be reviewed. The government will also assess the carrying capacity of cities. It may be reminded here that many tunnel projects are proposed and under consideration in the state including Mussoorie, Dehradun-Tehri. Dhami added that the agencies are engaged in rescue work and the state government is supporting them in this. He also revealed that the Prime Minister’s Office is also keeping an eye on the rescue operation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself is continuously monitoring the rescue operations. The PM is seeking regular updates from him (Dhami). The PM and the Central Government have directed the agencies engaged in rescue work to leave no stone unturned in rescue operation and in seeking expert advice from across the world.
Dhami said that all the tunnel projects in the state will be reviewed. The government will also assess the carrying capacity of cities. It may be reminded here that many tunnel projects are proposed and under consideration in the state including Mussoorie, Dehradun-Tehri. Dhami added that the agencies are engaged in rescue work and the state government is supporting them in this. He also revealed that the Prime Minister’s Office is also keeping an eye on the rescue operation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself is continuously monitoring the rescue operations. The PM is seeking regular updates from him (Dhami). The PM and the Central Government have directed the agencies engaged in rescue work to leave no stone unturned in rescue operation and in seeking expert advice from across the world.The CM added that he had been informed that the new state-of-the-art machine has started working there. This machine will drill 5 to 10 meters every hour. If everything goes well, the rescue will be successfully completed soon. All the agencies working there are being given every kind of support by the state government. The Chief Secretary and other officers are in touch with them. They have to do the technical things themselves, the state government will however lend them full support.
The Chief Minister said that all the workers trapped in the tunnel are safe. Constant contact is being established with them. All arrangements are being made for food, water, oxygen to all. Dhami said that the government stands with the families of the workers in trouble. Officials have been told to keep all the family members informed about the rescue at every moment. Apart from this, assistance centres will also be opened for the families who have reached Silkyara and help should be provided for their lodging and food needs. He said that in this time of crisis the family members need to remain patient. The government stands with them all the time.
The CM stated that that to deal with the Silkyara tunnel disaster, work is being done using the experiences of old tunnel rescues conducted in the country and the world. For this, officials are adopting the techniques of tunnel construction and post-disaster rescue in many countries of the world including the neighbouring state of Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir. Information is being collected about construction of big tunnels like Pir Panjal, Atal Tunnel, Bhanwar Tonk, Sangaldan and rescue after loose collapse. Accordingly, the rescue team is trying to rescue the workers.
Additional Chief Secretary Radha Raturi, Special Principal Secretary Abhinav Kumar, Secretary to Chief Minister Shailesh Bagauli, Garhwal Commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey, Additional Director General of Police Law and Order AP Anshuman, Director General Information Banshidhar Tiwari and officials of the Chief Minister’s Office were present in the review meeting.
