Inside the Uttarkashi op to rescue 40 trapped men: Some gains reversed, 2 options on the table

Food packets containing chana and puffed rice are also pushed through the water pipe using pressure, officials said, adding that the workers also have torches.

The State Disaster Response Force and National Disaster Response Force alongside police and local administration are carrying out the rescue operations using JCBs and heavy excavator machines to remove the debris.

Talking to The Indian Express, Shashi Chauhan, a mechanical foreman for Navayuga Engineering, which is handling the tunnel construction, said around 50-60 workers were returning to celebrate Diwali, after ending their night shift, when a section of the tunnel collapsed around 5.30 am, trapping the men who were behind.

“For the initial several hours, those trapped were panicking as there was no communication and they were not aware of the situation. They also had walkie-talkies, but there was no signal due to extra debris. However, around midnight, communication was established using pipes, and that calmed them down. We are continuously in touch with them. Whenever they need anything, we provide it to them,” he said.

Uttarkashi: Rescue operation underway after a portion of a tunnel under construction between Silkyara and Dandalgaon on the Brahmakhal-Yamunotri national highway collapsed, in Uttarkashi district, Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023. Around 40 workers are feared trapped. (PTI Photo)

Planned under the all-weather road project, the 4,531 metre tunnel is being constructed by Navayuga Engineering under the supervision of the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL). It was expected to be completed by next February.

As per information provided by the NHIDCL, out of the 4.5 km long tunnel, 2.34 km had been completed from the Silkyara side and 1.75 km from the Dandalgaon (Barkot) side. On Sunday, work was underway when a section of the tunnel between 205 metres and 260 metres from the Silkyara side collapsed, trapping the men beyond the 260-metre mark.

The debris removed by heavy excavator machines is being taken away by trucks. At the time of filing this report, around 21 metres of loose debris had been removed, though some gains were reversed as more debris fell and reduced the excavation to only 14 metres.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami reviews the ongoing rescue and relief operations after a portion of a tunnel under construction between Silkyara and Dandalgaon on the Brahmakhal-Yamunotri national highway collapsed, in Uttarkashi district, Monday, Nov. 13, 2023. (PTI Photo)

Talking to The Indian Express, Secretary (Disaster Management) Ranjit Sinha said that to deal with the falling debris, they are using shotcrete method, which has only been partially successful so far.

“The rock in the area is very loose, almost crumbly. Because of that, when we remove the debris, more debris falls. However, the rate of the debris falling is lower than the rate of debris being removed. We are using the shotcrete method, under which soon after debris is removed, concrete is thrown at the ceiling with high pressure to stop more debris from falling. We are getting partial success with this,” said Sinha.

Another option is also being explored, under which, Sinha said, a machine is coming from Dehradun to drill a hole in the debris and subsequently push a 900 mm steel pipe to evacuate those trapped inside. The machine is expected to reach by Tuesday morning.

Asked how hard it is to predict such incidents or if there is any sign of negligence, Sinha said that even though the collapse is hard to predict, better safety measures and alarm systems could have prevented people from getting trapped.

“A technical team is there, we have also talked to the consultants, and there are some issues that need to be checked. The technical team will submit a report and that will clear things up. What happened (the collapse) could not have been stopped, but better safety measures and better automated alarm systems would probably have prevented people from getting trapped. There are claims that some sensors are installed. The technical team will check all that,” he said.

Sinha said they have directed NHIDCL and the contractors to inform the families of the men that the situation is under control and they are safe. “We do not want them to get panicked for no reason and start coming here,” he said.

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami also reached Silkyara during the day for an inspection. He took stock of the rescue and relief operations and directed officials to speed up the work. He said it is his government’s top priority to rescue the workers.