Shillong, November 27: Intensifying efforts to save 41 trapped workers in Uttarkashi’s Silkyara-Barkot tunnel, rescue teams explore six strategies after the collapse on November 12.
As per India Today, vertical drilling, a key tactic, began on Sunday, reaching nearly 30 meters into the hill. The Indian Army has joined the operation after the advanced auger drilling machine failure. A yellow alert for adverse weather adds complexity to ongoing operations.
The aim is to construct a vertical escape passage by drilling 86 meters deep. Progress indicates a depth of 19.5 meters by Sunday evening, with the expectation of completion by Thursday. Wide pipes, 700 mm in diameter, facilitate the creation of an escape route, while a 200-mm probe has reached the 70-meter mark.
Coordination of six rescue plans includes the decision for vertical drilling due to setbacks with horizontal methods. Debris obstructs the Silkyara-end, prompting a shift in strategy. A potential alternative, sideways drilling, awaits the arrival of necessary machinery on Sunday night, with plans to clear a 17-meter path to the trapped laborers.