Finance
Sixteen days have passed since the Silkyara tunnel catastrophe in Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi, but there has been no evident success as numerous agencies with 200 employees continue rescue efforts to pull out the 41 workers trapped in the tunnel.
After numerous interruptions in the auger machine, vertical drilling work began on Sunday from the top of the slope. So far, drilling has reached a depth of 30 meters.
Meanwhile, in a positive step, broken auger machine pieces have been removed. Manual drilling operations will now begin here, under the direction of the Indian Army’s engineering force, the Madras Sappers.
The rat hole mining technique will be used for manual drilling, in which small tunnels are dug. Such tunnels are made in coal mines.
Former PMO advisor Bhaskar Khulbe and Deputy Secretary of the PMO Mangesh Ghildiyal have arrived at the Silkyara tunnel site to assess the situation. General VK Singh (retired) also arrived at the site and performed prayers in the Baba Bokh Naag Devta temple established outside the tunnel.
The Meteorological Department issued a three-day yellow notice two days ago. Light snowfall has already begun in Uttarkashi, which may complicate the rescue effort.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami recently met with the family of Pushkar Singh Airi, a Tanakpur laborer who is one of the 41 stuck in the tunnel. Dhami consoled the family members throughout the meeting. He further stated that the rescue operation would be concluded soon and that all workers will come out soon.
