Uttarakhand: Silkyara Tunnel Breakthrough: Countdown to Rescue After Drilling Triumph

In Uttarkashi, the drilling process at the Silkyara tunnel has concluded, marking the beginning of preparations for the immediate medical care of the trapped workers upon their rescue. NDRF personnel are en route through the tunnel with stretchers to facilitate the workers’ evacuation. Ambulances, equipped for swift first aid, are stationed outside the tunnel, and a dedicated ward with 41 oxygen-supported beds awaits at the Chinyalisaur community health center, situated approximately 30 km from Silkyara.

To ensure a smooth passage for ambulances, repairs are underway on the road outside the tunnel, which had become uneven due to heavy vehicle movement. Senior police officers have briefed security personnel, emphasizing prompt action as workers emerge from the escape passage.

As the rescue efforts continue into the 17th day, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami reported progress, with pipes reaching a depth of 52 meters through the rubble at Silkyara tunnel. The breakthrough point is anticipated at 57 meters, requiring the rat-hole mining technique to navigate approximately 10 meters of rubble and retrieve the trapped workers. Despite encountering stones, the operation proceeds as workers manually remove debris while an auger machine aids in pushing 800-mm diameter pipes through the rubble.