Rescue operations are currently in progress to save 40 workers who have been trapped inside a collapsed tunnel in Uttarakhand, India. The workers were building the Silkyara tunnel when part of it caved in due to a nearby landslide. The collapse resulted in mounds of debris falling on the tunnel, cutting off the oxygen supply to the trapped workers. Although none of the workers were injured, the rescue mission has been challenging due to the difficult terrain and natural obstacles.
Since Sunday, rescue workers have been tirelessly digging through the debris to lay a pipe that would help the trapped men crawl out of the tunnel. As of Friday, they have successfully dug through 24 meters of the required 60 meters. While progress is being made, officials estimate that it will take another 40-48 hours for the workers to be rescued if the work continues at the current rate.
The collapsed tunnel is part of the federal government’s highway project, aimed at improving connectivity to famous pilgrimage sites in Uttarakhand. This 4.5-kilometer tunnel was designed to provide all-weather connectivity to Yamunotri, a revered Hindu pilgrimage site in the Himalayas. It is expected to reduce travel distance between Uttarkashi and Yamunotri town by 26 kilometers. The construction of the tunnel was approved by the federal government in 2018, but it has faced criticism from environmental experts due to concerns about the fragile ecology of the region.
The majority of the workers trapped in the tunnel are migrant laborers from northern and eastern states of India. Prompted by the danger they faced, some workers managed to escape before the collapse occurred, leaving their friends trapped inside. The families of the trapped workers have expressed their concern for their loved ones’ health and safety. Authorities have established communication with the trapped men and are providing them with necessary supplies, including food, water, and medicines through a pipeline that was originally laid for construction purposes.
Rescue efforts have been met with challenges, including natural obstacles, but new equipment, including a powerful horizontal drill, has been flown in to speed up the rescue process. A wide hole is being drilled to accommodate a metal pipe for the trapped workers to crawl through. Additionally, another machine will be airlifted as a backup to ensure the uninterrupted continuation of the rescue operation.
While the focus remains on the ongoing rescue mission, questions have been raised about the construction of the tunnel in such a fragile region. Critics argue that more geological investigation should have been conducted, considering the area’s proximity to the highly fragile Himalayas. However, the immediate priority is to ensure the safe rescue of the trapped workers, who have been enduring challenging conditions inside the tunnel.
The incident highlights the dangers faced by workers involved in infrastructure projects and the importance of prioritizing safety measures and thorough assessments in such endeavors. It also brings attention to the plight of migrant laborers who often face precarious working conditions. As the rescue operation continues, the hope is that all the workers will be safely rescued, and measures will be taken to prevent similar incidents in the future.
