Uttarakhand Tunnel Collapse: ‘12 to 14 hours more’, rescue operations enter the final phase

It has been 12 days since the 41 construction workers have been trapped in debris after the Uttarakhand tunnel caved in on November 12. The rescue efforts have entered the final leg of the operations, and the authorities are hopeful that the trapped workers will be evacuated in the next 12-14 hours. "It will take around 12 to 14 hours more to complete the whole operation of reaching the workers," said Bhaskar Kulbe, Former advisor to the PMO.

An elaborate post-revival plan has been drawn by the forces and the Uttarakhand authorities. "Our post-rescue action plan is ready. We have prepared the final details about where to take them (rescued workers), and how to take them. We will have a green corridor in place for their movement," said Uttarkashi SP Arpan Yaduvanshi. 41 ambulances have been brought to the tunnel and the trapped workers, once rescued will be immediately sent to a make-shift hospital in Chinyalisour where they will undergo thorough medical examinations.

As per reports, 10 meters of debris lie between the rescue teams and the 41 workers trapped inside the Silkyara tunnel. The auger machine that was brought to the accident spot drills through 3 meters of debris in an hour. However, the machine had come to a halt after an iron mesh came in the way, which in turn delayed the evacuation operation by a couple of hours. “It took us six hours to remove it. But the good news is that we have cleared the hurdle which came yesterday after drilling up to 45 metres had been done. It will take around 12 to 14 hours more to complete the whole operation of reaching the workers. After that, it will take three more hours to take out the workers one by one. That will be done with the help of NDRF," said Bhaskar Kulbe, Former advisor to the PMO.


Wide pipes have been pushed through the debris. The trapped workers with the assistance of NDRF officials are expected to crawl out of the tunnel, 41 stretchers have been kept on standby in case the health conditions of any of the trapped workers deteriorate. Pipes are being welded to each other to create a safe escape route. Welders have been flown in from Delhi, they will weld together the final stretch of this escape route, once the drilling ends.

A NDRF doctor will be sent inside once the tunnel has been set up. The doctor will examine the workers who have been in confinement for over 12 days. Factors such as the temperature difference, basic acclimatisation, and comprehensive physical and mental rehabilitation of the workers are being worked out by the medical fraternity.

The Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami is overseeing the rescue operations and has been in talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "The rescue is at its final stages. There are some obstacles, but I hope that the workers are rescued as early as possible. Post-rescue preparations have been done. Ambulances and Hospitals are ready for their check-up and treatment. PM Modi is taking updates on the rescue every single day. Our experts are working day and night to rescue the workers," said the Uttarakhand CM.