After a harrowing 17-day ordeal, the 41 workers trapped in the Uttarakhand tunnel were successfully rescued in a monumental cross-team operation, requiring hundreds of man-hours. The incident occurred on Diwali (November 12) when a section of the under-construction Silkyara tunnel collapsed in Uttarakhand.
The collapse, suspected to be triggered by a geological fault known as a ‘shear zone,’ left the workers stranded without an escape route, despite government guidelines recommending emergency exits for tunnels exceeding 1.5 km in length.
Post-rescue proceedings are now in motion:
- Medical Attention: The rescued workers will be swiftly transported to the hospital via a fleet of waiting ambulances stationed outside the tunnel. A dedicated 41-bed hospital at the Community Health Centre in Chinyalisaur has been prepared for their medical examination and care.
- Comprehensive Medical Examination: Upon reaching the hospital, the workers will undergo a thorough medical examination, ensuring their well-being and addressing any potential health issues resulting from the ordeal.
- Investigation Focus: With the rescue operations concluded, attention shifts to conducting comprehensive investigations. Officials aim to identify construction shortcomings that led to the tunnel collapse.
- Ambulance Deployment: Approximately 30 ambulances on-site are poised to transport the injured workers to the hospital. A green corridor has been established to facilitate the swift movement of ambulances carrying the rescued workers.
- Airlift Operations: A Chinook helicopter is on standby at the Chinyalisaur airstrip, ready to airlift the workers post-rescue from the tunnel.
- Government Action: The government has mandated the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to audit 29 tunnels under construction across the country, emphasizing a commitment to ensuring safety in infrastructure projects.
In a symbolic moment captured in photos, rescue teams, victorious and relieved, flashed smiles and victory signs as the drilling through concrete and rubble concluded. Specially fitted stretchers equipped with wheels were utilized to gently maneuver the exhausted men through 57 meters (187 feet) of steel pipe.
This successful rescue marks not only the end of a challenging chapter for the trapped workers but also triggers a comprehensive review of tunnel construction practices nationwide to prevent future incidents.
Avinash Poojari is the owner of ComClone News website. He is an accomplished author specializing in the field of information technology. With a Master’s degree in Information Technology, Avinash hails from Mumbai. Passionate about researching breaking news, he is dedicated to providing accurate and up-to-date information to his readers.