How the Uttarkashi Tunnel Rescue Mission is Progressing

On November 12, 2023, a tragic incident occurred in Uttarakhand, India, where 41 workers were trapped inside a collapsed under-construction tunnel on the Yamunotri National Highway. The tunnel, which was meant to connect Silkyara and Dandalgaon in Uttarkashi district, caved in due to a landslide triggered by heavy rains. Since then, a massive rescue operation has been underway to save the lives of the workers, who are hailing from different states such as Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Odisha, Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh.

The rescue mission, which is being supervised by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) and the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, has faced several challenges and setbacks due to the complex terrain, the large amount of debris, and the limited access to the tunnel. Despite the difficulties, the authorities have assured that the workers are safe and have been provided with food, water, oxygen, medicines, and other essentials via a pipe that was originally meant to supply water. Communication has also been established with the workers via walkie-talkies, and they have been encouraged to stay calm and hopeful.

As the rescue operation entered its 10th day, the authorities have come up with a five-point plan that involves drilling operations from three sides. The plan includes:

Vertical drilling from the top of the hill under which the workers are trapped. A spot has been identified and marked for this purpose, and the depth of the hole is estimated to be around 300-350 feet.
Horizontal drilling from the Silkyara side, where the tunnel collapsed. This is the main approach that has been tried since the beginning, but has faced difficulties due to the hardness of the rock and the presence of water. A powerful drilling machine has been transported from Indore to the site to continue this operation.
Horizontal drilling from the Barkot side, which is the opposite end of the tunnel. This is a new option that has been proposed to create a small tunnel that can reach the workers. A road is being constructed by the Border Roads Organization (BRO) to facilitate this operation.
Perpendicular drilling with two proposed routes. This is another new option that involves drilling a hole at a right angle to the tunnel and inserting a pipe that is six inches wide. The workers can then crawl through the pipe and reach the surface.
Auger drilling using two machines. This is a method that uses a rotating helical screw blade to remove the debris and create a hole. The machines have been deployed at both ends of the tunnel and are expected to work faster than the previous methods.

The authorities have said that they are working simultaneously on all these plans and are getting help from foreign consultants as well. They have also expressed optimism that the workers can be rescued in the next two to three days if everything goes smoothly.

The Uttarkashi tunnel collapse has been one of the worst disasters in the history of India’s infrastructure projects, and has raised questions about the safety and quality standards of such ventures. The incident has also highlighted the plight of the migrant workers who are often employed in hazardous and low-paying jobs. The rescue mission has been a test of the country’s engineering and disaster management capabilities, and has also shown the resilience and courage of the workers and their families. The nation is praying for their safe and speedy recovery. 🙏