In a crucial development, India has reached out to a Thai rescue company renowned for its successful mission in 2018 to save 12 boys and their coach trapped in the Tham Luang cave complex. This time, the collaboration aims to rescue 40 workers trapped in a collapsed tunnel in Uttarkashi.
Since Sunday morning, efforts have been underway to remove debris from the site, creating an escape tunnel for the workers. The Uttarakhand government’s department of public relations confirmed the engagement of the Thai company in a statement, expressing confidence in their expertise.
The trapped workers are reportedly safe, with essential supplies such as oxygen, electricity, medicines, food items, and water being provided through pipes. However, concerns arose over the slow progress of the rescue operation, prompting officials to airlift a heavy drilling machine from Delhi to replace the previously used equipment.
Abhishek Rohilla, the district magistrate of Uttarkashi, emphasized the significance of the new machine, transported via a special aircraft of the Indian Air Force. Continuous monitoring by both the Central and state governments is in place, ensuring a swift response to the rescue needs. The deployment of a high-capacity drilling machine is expected to expedite the process.
Protests erupted among some workers at the tunnel site, expressing dissatisfaction with the operation’s pace. The initial plan involved drilling through the tunnel’s rubble and inserting sections of mild steel pipes, but the first drilling machine proved slow, encountering technical issues. Furthermore, falling debris inside the tunnel resulted in equipment damage and injuries to two rescue workers.
To address these challenges, NHIDCL Director Anshu Manish Khalkho provided insights into the new drilling machine’s capabilities. With a capacity to penetrate 4-5 meters of rubble per hour, it is anticipated to cover 50 meters within 10 hours, significantly enhancing the rescue efforts.
The 4.5-kilometer tunnel, connecting Uttarkashi and Yamunotri, faced a collapse in a 30-meter section during construction. The new drilling machine is expected to play a pivotal role in overcoming the obstacles and ensuring the safe rescue of the workers trapped for over 72 hours. Stay tuned for further updates on this critical multi-agency rescue operation.