Uttarkashi: The work of safely evacuating 41 workers trapped in the Silkyara Tunnel of Uttarakhand for the last 17 days started on Tuesday. The workers were brought out through a pipe drilled by the rescue team, using a technique called rat-hole mining. The workers were taken to the nearest hospital by ambulance for medical check-ups and treatment.
The workers were trapped in the tunnel on November 12, when a part of the under-construction tunnel collapsed due to a landslide. The tunnel is being built by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) for the Char Dham project, which aims to connect four Hindu pilgrimage sites in the Himalayas.
The rescue operation was launched by various agencies, such as the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), the Army, and the BRO. The rescue team tried to drill a hole through the debris to reach the workers, who were trapped at a depth of about 100 meters.
The rescue team used the rat-hole mining technique to drill the hole
However, the rescue operation faced many challenges and delays due to the tough terrain, the hard rock, the heavy machinery, and the technical glitches. The auger machine, which was used to drill the hole, broke down several times and had to be replaced. The manual drilling, which was started after the failure of the machine, was also slow and difficult.
The rescue team then used the rat-hole mining technique to drill the hole, which is a method of digging small tunnels to extract coal or other minerals. The rescue team used cutters and hammers to break the rock and concrete and removed the debris manually. The rescue team drilled a distance of 60 meters through this technique and then inserted a pipe through the drilled path.
The pipe was used to provide oxygen, water, and food to the workers, who were in contact with the rescue team through a microphone and a speaker. The pipe was also used to bring out the workers one by one, by attaching a harness to them. The workers were checked by the doctors before being shifted to the ambulances.
The workers were greeted by their families and officials outside the tunnel
The workers were greeted by their families and officials outside the tunnel, who were waiting for their rescue for the last 17 days. The workers were also applauded and cheered by the rescue team and the locals, who were relieved and happy to see them alive and safe. The workers expressed their gratitude and appreciation to the rescue team and the authorities, who provided them with all the necessary support and resources.
The workers were taken by ambulance to the nearest hospital, where they underwent further medical examination and treatment. The workers were also counseled by the psychologists to help them cope with the trauma and stress of being trapped for so long. The workers were reported to be in good health and spirits and were eager to reunite with their families and friends.
The rescue operation was hailed as a success and a miracle by the officials and the media, who praised the courage and resilience of the workers and the rescue team. The rescue operation was also a testament to the cooperation and coordination among various agencies and stakeholders, who worked together to save the lives of the workers. The rescue operation was also a lesson for the future, to ensure the safety and security of the workers and the projects in the disaster-prone areas.
