After making a breakthrough in rescue operation to succeed in the employees trapped contained in the under-construction Silkyara tunnel by drilling 45 metres by the rubble, worldwide tunnelling skilled Arnold Dix on Thursday described how distant the rescuers are from hitting the top level. Dix is aiding the rescue course of.
Independent catastrophe investigator and President of the International Tunnelling and Underground Space Association Arnold Dix(AFP)
At the second, it is like we’re there on the entrance door and we’re knocking on it. We know that the blokes are there on the opposite facet. I’m going to take a look and see what is going on,” he said after reaching the tunnel site.
Former advisor to Prime Minister’s Office Bhaskar Khulbe said the team of rescuers will take another 12 to 14 hours to complete the drilling process.
“It will take 12 to 14 hours extra to finish the drilling and attain the employees. After that, it’s going to take three extra hours to take the employees out one after the other and that can be accomplished with the assistance of the NDRF,” he said.
After the boring through around 45 metres into the tunnel, rescuers came across several hindrances, one of them being the US-based auger machine hit steel rods on Wednesday, which was removed. The next day, the drilling machine again faced another hurdle when an iron mesh came in the way. The rescue official removed that as well.
Meanwhile, all arrangements have been made to provide immediate medical care to the 41 trapped workers after they are evacuated, officials said.
Uttarkashi Superintendent of Police Arpan Yaduvanshi told news agency ANI that a green corridor has been built to escort the workers to Chinyalisaur where the makeshift hospiltal has been built.
“Our post-rescue action plan is ready. We will take the workers with a police escort and make sure that the best possible treatment is provided to them. I think they will be taken to Chinyalisaur and then if necessary to Rishikesh,” he said.
The workers have been trapped since November 12, when the under-construction tunnel from Silkyara to Barkot got blocked due to debris falling in a 60-meter stretch on the Silkyara side.
The operation to rescue 41 workers trapped inside a Uttarakhand tunnel for the past 11 days is in its critical phase.
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Source: www.hindustantimes.com
