A momentous breakthrough looms in the arduous 17-day operation to rescue 41 workers trapped within Uttarakhand’s Silkyari tunnel, as officials anticipate the successful extraction of all individuals within the next two hours. Efforts by state and national disaster response forces have intensified, marking a critical phase in the rescue mission.
Reports from late Tuesday night indicated that rescue teams, employing manual techniques after high-tech machinery faltered, successfully cleared the final few meters of debris. These teams have laid down two-feet wide pipes, creating a viable escape route for the trapped workers.
Lieutenant General Syed Ata Hasnain (retd.), a member of the National Disaster Management Authority, expressed optimism about nearing a breakthrough, hinting at the tireless efforts made by ‘rat miners’ and Army engineers to clear the path. Despite the intense labor throughout the night, the operation remained ongoing.
The rescue strategy entails a meticulous process where each worker will be brought out individually using specially-modified stretchers within the rescue pipes. A Chinook helicopter stationed nearby awaits the workers’ extraction, ready to transport them to the medical center at Chinyalisaur.
Once above ground, a green corridor orchestrated by local police ensures swift transportation via ambulances to a makeshift hospital in Chinyalisaur, equipped with 41 oxygen-fitted beds and necessary medical supplies for immediate care.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has closely monitored the rescue operation, with his Principal Secretary PK Mishra present at the site, alongside Uttarakhand Chief Secretary Sukhbir Singh Sandhu, ensuring comprehensive coordination and oversight.
The Silkyara tunnel, a pivotal element of the contentious Char Dham all-weather road project, located 30 km from Uttarkashi, serves as the backdrop to this exhaustive rescue effort that has garnered nationwide attention.
Sources By Agencies