Uttarakhand tunnel collapse: Frequent obstacles delay rescue operation; option to use manual cutters not ruled out | India News

NEW DELHI: Frequent obstacles of iron girders in the remaining 17-20 meter stretch of the collapsed portion of Sikyara tunnel delayed the rescue operation on Thursday. While government officials said if all goes well, the rescuers will be able to reach by Friday noon, sources said the option of clearing the remaining stretch by experienced manual cutters is also under consideration.
Speaking to media persons, top government representatives said that giving any specific timeline, amid reports of quick break through, won’t be appropriate at this stage as they are unaware of the conditions ahead or whether more metals or girders have fallen from the top and are in the debris.They said the auger machine had to be stopped thrice since the horizontal drilling started. The steel lattice girders have been cut twice using gas cutters.

Sources said till Thursday evening around 45-47 meters have been covered and there is a need to clear the remaining portion of around 17-20 meters. “We are very hopeful of the success of the auger machine to achieve the breakthrough, though it’s time taking procedure to take it out and fix the teeth after every encounter with any metallic object or hard rock. If there are more such frequent encounters, there is a possibility of sending professional manual cutters to complete the remaining portion. All options are open for faster evacuation of the workers,” said a source.
Earlier in the day, Syed Ata Hasnain, a member of National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), said giving any specific timeline for the breakthrough won’t be right considering that none knows what’s lying ahead. “There is a possibility of similar hurdles three-four times and that will take time. There may be delays, but all preparations have been made for rescue of the workers…Let’s prepare the nation for a little longer haul,” he added.
Officials said though initially they had estimated the impacted stretch to be around 55-56 meter, it’s little more.
Hasnain said all basic requirements of the stranded workmen have been met and psycho-social counsellors are talking to them. The NDMA member also lauded the “natural leadership” of a foreman and his assistant. The foreman volunteered to come out at last, which shows his leadership quality.
While officials said agencies are working on all options, including vertical drilling, the horizontal drilling by auger machine remains the “best bet”.
The NDMA member said the two teams of National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF) deployed at the site have been carrying out rehearsals, including taking out people using stretchers. He said this is the best option is the stretchers and taking out the trapped workers may take around 3-4 hours using this method.
“After the rescue, there will be a detailed medical check-up. If any of them has a serious problem, he will be taken to AIIMS at Rishikesh. There are 41 ambulances at the site, meaning one for each one,” Hasnain said.