Uttarkashi Tunnel collapsed on the 12th of November and 41 workers were been trapped. A rescue operation has been going on for the last 17 days. Yesterday night at around 9 pm the Uttarkashi tunnel rescue operation succeeded. 41 workers came out of the Silkyara Tunnel after breaking the chest of rocks.
All 41 workers trapped in the tunnel on the 17th day have been rescued safely from the Silkyara Tunnel in Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand.
On the 12th of November at around 5:00 in the morning, due to a landslide, a part of the under-construction Silkyara-Dandalgaon tunnel located on Yamunotri National Highway suddenly collapsed. Due to this 41 workers from 8 states got trapped inside the tunnel.
The pipeline was the lifeline in the Uttarkashi Tunnel
To save all these workers, different teams were engaged in relief and rescue work. A 1.45-inch pipe installed to drain water from the tunnel proved to be a lifeline. After the accident, oxygen, water and some light food items were sent to the workers through this pipe. Necessary medicines were also given to them through this pipe.
On the 10th day after the accident, a six-inch pipe was successfully delivered to the workers, after which they started being given hot food. Also, a camera was sent inside through this pipe and the inside view was seen for the first time.
The “Mahabharata” of life going on in the Silkyara Tunnel in Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand, ended after 16 days. On the 17th day, all the 41 workers trapped in the tunnel were taken out safely.
Let us tell you that among the 41 workers trapped in the tunnel, a maximum of 15 workers are from Jharkhand, 8 from Uttar Pradesh, 5 from Odisha, 5 from Bihar, 3 from West Bengal, 2 from Uttarakhand, 2 from Assam and 1 from Himachal Pradesh.
Human claws overwhelm the American Auger machine
In the operation to safely rescue 41 workers trapped in the tunnel under construction in Silkyara, Uttarkashi, the American auger machine also gasped in front of the obstacles that came up within a few hours. In such a situation, the team of Rat Miners showed its magic.
Ultimately, human claws overpowered the auger machine and their strength. Operation Silkyara came to success on the 17th day. The teams engaged in the rescue operation for 17 days had started working on all options to save the lives of the workers. Digging a minor tunnel from Barkot, vertical, but where the auger machine was stuck, this option was the closest option to reach the workers. The stuck pieces of the garter were taken out one by one from the auger machine. Also, on the advice of experts, it was decided to take the help of rat miners from Jhansi, who have expertise in manual digging inside the tunnel. As the team of Rat Miners reached Ground Zero from Jhansi, as they moved ahead, a glow started appearing on the faces of the members of the expedition. Ultimately, where the machine had lost, human claws succeeded.
Workers Expressed joy and happiness
When the rat miners reached inside the trapped area, workers were filled with joy. They hugged rat miners team members. Rat Miners’ team members told this after opening the way for the safe exit of the workers trapped in the under-construction Silkyara tunnel. They were giving the message of the success of the operation by giving a thumbs-up sign.
The glow of the success of the campaign was visible on their faces. When the American auger machine failed during the rescue operation, a team of rat miners was called from Jhansi and deployed on the front.
Working continuously for hours day and night, 12 team members opened the way to reach the workers who had been waiting inside the tunnel for the last 17 days to get out safely. Moreover, the team member continued digging for 26 hours. The workers were happy to see the rat miners team inside the tunnel. They hugged each other. Now everyone is safe.
The campaign gained momentum due to the activeness of PMO
PMO played a big role in the campaign to save the lives of workers. Not only did the Prime Minister keep a constant watch, but the messengers of his office also kept the campaign going by camping at the site continuously.
As soon as the information about the accident reached the Prime Minister’s Office through the control room of the Home Ministry, Dr PK Mishra, Principal Secretary to the PM, informed Prime Minister Narendra Modi about this. Since then, PMO officials continuously monitored the incident. Mishra regularly informed the PM about the rescue operation.
Dr. Mishra directed PMO Deputy Secretary Mangesh Ghildiyal to go to the incident site and get information about the situation. Former advisor to the Prime Minister Bhaskar Khulbe was also requested to monitor the rescue operation at the site.
On the insistence of PMO, apart from mobilizing civil engineering and tunneling-related equipment and experts from RVNL, ONGC, SJVNL, THDC, DRDO etc., innovative technology-based solutions like robots, drones, endoscopic cameras etc. were being mobilized from DST, DRDO. Many private startups and companies also worked to rescue the workers.
All concerned ministries and organizations such as the Army, Air Force, BRO, NDRF, NDMA, Government of Uttarakhand, District Administration and many private units were also contacted.
A meeting of all the agencies working at the incident site was held at the PMO on November 20 under the chairmanship of Dr Mishra. In the meeting, heads of all agencies were directed to monitor the rescue operations on an hourly basis.
On 27 November, Dr Mishra reached the spot along with the Home Secretary. Deputy Secretary Mangesh Ghildiyal remained in Uttarkashi till the successful completion of the rescue operation on 28 November.
Successful completion of the rescue operation
Late Tuesday evening, the 17th day of the accident were rescued. After receiving first aid, they were sent to the hospital by ambulance for treatment.
An emergency hospital was built inside the tunnel in Silkyara, Uttarakhand, and an air ambulance was also deployed. First of all, the workers were given first aid in a temporary hospital built near the tunnel. A team of doctors and nurses has been deployed to look after the workers. After taking the workers out of the tunnel, they will be taken directly to the hospital. Oxygen cylinders have also been sent inside the tunnel.
All these workers have been taken directly to the hospital for first aid and treatment of mental stress. And all were been found healthy and fit. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami was present at the spot. On the other hand, the Prime Minister’s Office was keeping a close watch on this matter. PM Modi also talked to the workers on the phone after doctors declared them fit.
After success, there was a beautiful smile on the faces of everyone involved in this campaign including scientists, families of the workers and administrative officials. Nationwide a wave of happiness was spread.
Lesson from Uttarkashi Tunnel collapse
Now Silkyara Tunnel Accident will become a case study for the country and NIDM will prepare a complete chapter. NIDM will prepare a complete chapter on what precautions we should take in tunnel construction in future. And how to remove the shortcomings. NIDM aims to discuss pre-prepared modules with agencies and departments involved in tunnel construction.