A team of international team of tunnelling experts arrived in Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi on Monday to rescue the 41 workers trapped inside the under-construction Silkyara tunnel for ninth day now. Arnold Dix, President of International Tunnelling and Underground Space Association was among the experts who have arrived to overtake the rescue operation.
Different organizations have taken part in the rescue operations since, the day of collapse with Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) continuously drilling at the Barkot end of the tunnel on Char Dham route. The head of the ONGC is expected to visit the site on Monday and its report will be submitted by tomorrow.
Based upon the report from ONGC, the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) will finalise the alignment on November 22.
The Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) has been assigned with the task of drilling vertically in the Silkayara end on November 26, said the sources.
Meanwhile, the sources have said that the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd. (NHIDCL) has been asked to construct an escape route and strengthen the tunnel. A third attempt has been made to set up a 150 mm steel pipe through the debris for emergencies.
The Indian Army is continuously monitoring the on-site progress and a drone is being used to help with the aerial monitoring and in the completion of the project efficiently.
Neeraj Khairwal, IAS officer who has been appointed as the nodal officer to coordinate with the central agencies by the Uttarakhand government is expected to reach the Silkyara tunnel today.
