Latest Update on Uttarakhand Tunnel Rescue Operation: Efforts persist to rescue 41 laborers trapped in Uttarkashi’s Silkyara Tunnel for 11 days. Drilling recommenced from the tunnel entrance using the auger machine, completing 46 meters thus far. Drilling ceased on November 17 due to rock obstacles.

Yesterday marked the nation’s first glimpse of the trapped laborers via camera feed from the tunnel, facilitated by a 6-inch pipeline. Supplies such as apples, orange juice, cheese curry, pulses, roti, and rice have been dispatched to the workers through this pipeline.

International tunnel experts have been enlisted to support the rescue operation. Expert Dix and his team stand committed to aiding the efforts. Only 28 meters remain to reach the laborers, with 46 meters of 800 mm steel pipes already inserted amidst the debris, a means to facilitate the workers’ extraction.

#WATCH | Uttarkashi (Uttarakhand) tunnel rescue: Vivek Srivastava, Commander 36 BRO says, “The machinery has reached the site at the Silkyara end and the drilling has started there…The work on Barkot end will begin today” pic.twitter.com/XvrVofrjlH

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— ANI (@ANI) November 22, 2023

The operation, anticipated to conclude in 48 hours, hinges on the auger machine’s unimpeded progress. Two additional drilling strategies are underway, intending to initiate vertical drilling within the tunnel today. Machines from Odisha and Gujarat are en route to aid this phase.

#WATCH | Uttarkashi (Uttarakhand) tunnel rescue | Former advisor to the Prime Minister’s Office, Bhaskar Khulbe says “It is a matter of great pleasure for us that 39 metres of pipeline has been drilled from inside the horizontal pipeline tunnel. Everything is going good. I spoke… pic.twitter.com/MlCENo2msm

— ANI (@ANI) November 22, 2023

Three plans are underway to extricate the workers. The primary plan, involving the auger machine, aims to retrieve the workers within 2 to 3 days. However, potential debris hindrance necessitates additional drilling machines from the opposite end.

The second plan involves excavating both sides of the Silkyara Tunnel to create a passageway, estimating completion within 10 to 15 days. Meanwhile, the third strategy involves tunnel excavation from the Dandalgaon side, foreseeing completion within 35 to 40 days.

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