Finance
Uttarkashi/Dehradun: On Thursday, an official announced that rescuers plan to provide board games and playing cards to the 41 workers trapped inside the Silkyara tunnel for 12 days as multiple delays continue to disrupt the evacuation operation.
Late on Thursday, they put the boring through the rubble of the collapsed tunnel on hold again, apparently after cracks appeared in the platform on which the drilling machine rests.
Dr Rohit Gondwal, one of the psychiatrists at the rescue site, told PTI, “We are planning to provide ludo and chess boards and playing cards to help them (trapped labourers) relieve stress. The operation is getting delayed and it appears that it will take some more time.” He said all 41 workers are fine but need to stay healthy and mentally fit.
“They told us that they play ‘chor-police’, do yoga and exercise daily to de-stress,” Gondwal said.
Speaking on the mental health of the trapped workers, another medical expert said their morale needs to stay high and they must remain motivated. A team of doctors speaks daily to the workers and asks about their health and mental conditions.
The latest obstacle came hours after the rescue operation resumed earlier in the day, following a six-hour delay to cut through an iron girder that came in the way of the auger machine late on Wednesday.
Since the multi-agency rescue mission began on November 12 after a stretch of the under-construction tunnel in Uttarakhand’s Char Dham route collapsed, they have halted the drilling exercise for the third time.
Officials said the rescuers have managed to drill the rubble up to 48 metres. However, there is another 10 meters to cover to allow the evacuation of the trapped laborers.
Doctors from Uttarkashi and Dehradun, including general physicians and psychiatrists, have stationed a team of a dozen at the site.
The officials said the team members regularly talk to the trapped labourers — for at least for 30 minutes in the morning and the same duration during the evening.
