UTTARAKHAND TUNNEL COLLAPSE: Rescue could take weeks as drilling machine breaks down

Alternatives being explored to bring out the 41 workers

THE MULTI-AGENCY RESCUE effort at the Silkyara tunnel on Uttarakhand's Char Dham route, where 41 workers are trapped since November 12, was temporarily halted after the auger machine engaged in the drilling process busted on Friday night. This major setback to the rescue operation came at the time when 47meter deep digging had already been done.

A member of the National Disaster Management Authority, Lt General (Rtd) Syed Ata Hasnain, while addressing a press briefing in Delhi on Saturday, said that the rescue operation at the tunnel has become technically complex, explaining that rescuers are working in an "environment of unpredictability" - calling it a war-like situation.

He further informed that advanced machinery is being airlifted by the Indian Air Force to bring the damaged part of the auger machine out from the tunnel. "The good news is that the 41 workers stuck inside are stable. All the basic things are being sent. The relatives of the workers have also come, and they are talking to the workers. As far as the rescue operation is concerned, there are certain problems we are facing. There has been damage in the auger machine and some part of it has not come out," he said. The NDMA member also informed that the process of drilling will start in the next one to two days.

"We need to understand that a very difficult operation is going on. Two methods are being used currently, but a third method that is draft method may also be used soon.