Blades of the drill have been extracted from the tunnel…
On Monday, 27 November 2023, Sixteen days and 380 hours were completed, the 41 workers trapped under the collapsed tunnel in Uttarkashi may face a wait, possibly stretching by weeks.
After repeated efforts, vertical drilling operations commenced from atop the hill above the collapsed section of the tunnel. So far, rescuers have successfully penetrated nearly 20 metres into the mountainside.
National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) managing director Mahmood Ahmed said the drilling process will be successfully concluded in three days; if no unforeseen obstacles arise.
As the vertical boring operation progresses, workers carefully insert 700-mm wide pipes to create a secure passageway for those trapped inside the tunnel. And at the same time, a 200-mm probe is also being pushed in. It has reached the 70-metre mark.
The heavy auger drill, brought in from the US to break through nearly 60 metres of debris, was damaged on Friday and is now being pulled out.
The last 10-15 metres will now have to be broken with hand-held power tools, a significantly more time-consuming process.
Workers are entering the unfinished escape passage, equipped with a steel chute, to dismantle the jammed auger blades and shaft.
On Monday, 27 November 2023, PM Narendra Modi's Principal Secretary PK Mishra will reach the tunnel to review the rescue operations.
Chief Secretary Sukhbir Singh Sandhu will accompany him. Both the officers will reach Silkyarai at around 9.30 am. Some senior officials of the Centre will also be present.
The Brief. Sign up to receive the top stories you need to know right now.