Silkyara Tunnel Rescue: Rescue Operation Faces Setback as Boring Machine Breakdown Delays Efforts

New Delhi: The wait to safely rescue the 41 workers trapped in the Silkyara tunnel in Uttarakhand since November 12 is far from over.A significant setback occurred on Saturday during the rescue campaign when the auger machine, crucial for drilling operations, suffered a malfunction. The breakdown of the machine's blade brought the drilling process to a halt. Now, preparations are underway for vertical drilling to extricate the workers from the tunnel. Heavy-duty machines for vertical drilling are being transported to the site.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami stated that due to the recent obstacle in the final phase of the operation, further drilling through the auger machine is not feasible. The manual removal of the remaining barrier, spanning 7 to 10 meters, is now planned. Plasma cutters will be employed to eliminate additional obstacles during this process. The ongoing challenges in the rescue mission have led to prolonged anticipation for the workers and their families.

Efforts are being made to enhance the rescue campaign, including the acquisition of another drilling machine from Hyderabad to expedite the process. The Chief Minister assured that the safety of the workers during the extraction remains the top priority, and all possible options are being explored. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is closely monitoring the situation and receiving daily updates on the progress of the workers' evacuation.

Amidst the Silkyara tunnel rescue operation, new challenges are emerging daily. On Saturday afternoon, as the heavy drilling machine was being positioned for vertical drilling, tremors were felt within the tunnel. Technical personnel working inside the tunnel reported the vibrations, prompting the suspension of machine operations.

Meanwhile, the government has arranged for a telephone facility to allow the 41 workers to communicate with their families on Sunday. BSNL has installed a landline phone inside the tunnel to facilitate communication. A six-inch pipe has also been utilized to send food and medicine to the workers, with BSNL running a cable through the same pipe for communication purposes. This communication line aims to alleviate the distress of the workers' families awaiting news about their loved ones.