This is how the workers trapped in the tunnel in Uttarkashi will be brought out. Image Credit source: PTI
40 lives trapped in the tunnel of Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand are fighting a battle with death, Operation Zindagi is going on in full swing to save them, but till now no success has been achieved in taking out even a single labourer. Now the American Auger machine is continuously boring and inserting the hume pipe. Till now 24 meters of pipe has been laid. It is believed that the workers can come out any time tomorrow.
The tunnel being built under the Uttarakhand Char Dham Project had caved in on the day of Diwali i.e. 12th November, due to which about 40 laborers are trapped inside 200 meters of the tunnel, Operation Zindagi is being conducted to save them. There is a 70 meter wide wall of debris between the relief team and the workers. In which efforts are being made to take out the workers by fitting pipes. According to NHIDCL Tunnel Project Director Anshu Manish Khalko, success has been achieved in laying 24 meters of pipe, soon we will reach the other end and take out the workers safely.
what happened that day
A tunnel is being built under the Char Dham project in Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand, its length is about four and a half kilometers. On November 12, at 4 am, about 40 laborers were working 200 meters inside the tunnel. At that very moment suddenly the soil of the tunnel collapsed. By the time the workers could understand anything, a wall of about 60 meters of debris had been built in front of them. Later, 10 meters more debris fell and the wall became 70 meters long.
Operation Zindagi started again
Operation Zindagi was started as soon as the workers were trapped. First an attempt was made to remove the debris, but it was not possible to do so till 70 meters because the tunnel was sinking further, in such a situation a pipe was drilled in the debris, through which food and water started being supplied to the workers. The next day, an attempt was made to put a 35-inch pipe inside so that the workers could come, but this attempt was also not completed because the machine broke down while making the escape tunnel. On November 15, when the workers alleged negligence in the relief work, on the instructions of the PMO, an American auger machine was sent from Delhi, this machine has been boring since the evening of November 16. It is believed that the pipe will be delivered to the workers by the morning of 18th November. It has been excavated up to 24 meters.
A campaign like this is being run to evict the workers. (Photo-PTI)
How will the workers come out?
The American Auger machine has inserted 24 meters of pipe inside the debris. The width of these pipes is 900 mm, with the help of these pipes the workers will be taken out. So far, 4 pipes of 6 feet each have been inserted inside, welding is being done to connect these pipes together. The problem is that landslides are still happening in the tunnel. That is why the campaign is taking time. Till then, food items and oxygen are being provided to the workers. Especially dry fruits are being provided to them.
Every moment update is being given to PM
Every moment update of the rescue operation going on in the tunnel of Uttarkashi is being given to PM Narendra Modi. On Friday, CM Pushkar Singh Dhami once again held a meeting with the officials. While talking to the media, Dhami said that the PM is constantly monitoring the rescue mission. Help of all agencies and technical experts is being taken. The PM is being informed about every new update. Army and Air Force teams are also engaged in rescue work.
Such wide pipes are being inserted in the debris. (Photo- PTI)
Help is being taken from experts from Thailand
To save the workers trapped in the tunnel of Uttarkashi, experts from Thailand are being contacted, who had rescued Thailand’s junior football team from a cave five years ago. At that time, the team that had gone to see the cave suddenly got trapped in the cave due to water, this team remained stuck for about 18 days, later it could be taken out with the help of hundreds of divers.
