Uttarkashi tunnel collapse: Machine runs into technical fault; backup machine called from Indore
Rescue operation is going on to safely to rescue 40 laborers trapped inside the tunnel located in Uttarkashi due to collapse. A bad news came during the operation on Friday afternoon. The entire operation was suddenly halted after debris fell on the drilling machine. The operation had to be stopped for about an hour. It is being told that some technical fault has occurred in the American auger machine used for drilling work. It is being said that the bearings of the machine are damaged. At present, a new machine is being airlifted from Indore, which is expected to reach by Saturday morning.
According to reports, after inserting the fifth tube in the tunnel, suddenly debris started falling on the machine from above, after which everyone was taken out of the tunnel. When the rescue operation started again, it came to light that the machine was damaged. From Friday morning to afternoon, only six meters of drilling could be done in the tunnel. According to the report, the rescue team is also working on the option of taking out the workers from above through a vertical approach of 103 meters after conducting a survey. If the current rescue operation fails, a fresh attempt will be made through vertical means.
Workers are getting food continuously
Anshu Manish Khulko, project manager of the tunnel and National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), said, ‘It seems easy when it looks like we would be able to reach there. But when it seems that nature is fragile, there might be more vibrations, where equilibrium needs to be maintained, the situation is very fragile. The morale of the people also needs to be maintained. The food and water supply and the psychological state of the stuck workers are well. They are being talked to by psychological experts. All of them are fit physically and mentally.’ There are total 24 (meters), out of which 22 meters have been drilled. We create a backup so that the work continues without any interruption. For drilling, machines have to be called from different parts of the country.
