Workers trapped in tunnel – uttamhindu.com

Excavation has now started from above the tunnel to rescue 41 workers trapped in the Silkyara tunnel which was under construction for the last two weeks. Earlier, digging from the top of the tunnel was started only after the machine doing horizontal digging broke down. According to National Disaster Management Authority member Lieutenant General (retired) Syed Ata Hasnain, all efforts are underway to rescue the workers trapped in the tunnel. Vertical excavation, considered the second best option, began around noon and 15 meters of excavation has been completed. He said that after vertical excavation of 86 meters, the upper layer of the tunnel will have to be broken to rescue the trapped workers. He said that six plans are being implemented to save the workers, but the best option so far is horizontal digging, under which 47 meters of excavation has been completed.

The work of taking out the broken parts of the agar machine from the tunnel during horizontal excavation is going on. Magna and plasma cutter machines are being used for this purpose. Once the broken parts are removed, 15 meters of digging will have to be done by hand to reach the trapped workers, although this may take time. It was necessary for officials to completely remove the machine to resume rescue operations, which involved pushing pipes by hand through the debris to pave the way for workers to be evacuated. A part of the drill machine for vertical digging has also been sent to the hill above the tunnel. A unit of the Madras Sappers, an engineer group of the Indian Army’s Corps of Engineers, reached the site last Sunday to assist in rescue operations. The blades of the auger machine digging into the tunnel debris to pave the way for the trapped workers got stuck in the debris last Friday night, forcing officials to consider other options, leading to a rescue operation. It may take several days or even weeks.

Looking at the above facts, it can be understood that the government is working on not one but many options to rescue the workers trapped in the tunnel. Along with the efforts of the government, now your prayers are also needed. Pray that the workers trapped in the tunnel for the last two weeks come out of the tunnel safely. State Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami’s effort to console the families of the workers trapped in the tunnel shows his humanitarian side. In this hour of crisis, it is the priority of the government to take stock of the situation of the families of the workers trapped in the tunnel and to console them and help them. This is evident from Chief Minister Dhami first talking to the workers and now contacting the families of the workers.

Along with the efforts of the government, all of you should also pray that the workers trapped in the tunnel can come out safely and meet their families.