Rescue operations at the site of the collapsed
under-construction tunnel in Uttarkashi have entered Day 2. Forty workers are
trapped inside the tunnel, even as rescue teams manage to breach 15 metres into
the tunnel.
Rescuers say the teams still have to clear about 35
metres of debris more to reach the location of the 40 trapped workers. The
rescuers have been able to establish communication with the trapped workers.
Uttarkashi Circle Officer Prashant Kumar stated, “The
debris is about 60 meters deep. As we are clearing the debris, it is falling
from above. The present situation is, that yesterday we established
communication with the people trapped inside the tunnel.
We have moved around 15 metres inside the tunnel, and
around 35 metres are still to be covered. Everyone is safe, we have provided
oxygen and water to them. We are making our way sideways to go inside the
tunnel. After establishing communication, around 40 people are trapped inside.”
NDRF teams says that snacks and water have been given
to the workers trapped inside, and they hope that by this evening they will
breach the debris and rescue the workers.
“We have managed to give the trapped workers some
chips and water. We can confirm that the workers are in a safe position. The
rescue operation has been continuing, we hope that by this evening we will
breach the debris and reach the site of the trapped workers to rescue them. At
that section the plaster work wasn’t complete which is why the tunnel collapsed”
informed NDRF Assistant Commander Karmaveer Singh Bhandari.
On Saturday, a part of the tunnel broke about 200
meters ahead of the starting point on the Silkyara side of Brahmakhal-Polgaon.
Teams of SDRF and NDRF along with police personnel are
conducting relief and rescue operations on a war footing to evacuate the people
trapped inside the tunnel.
Prantiya Rakshak Dal jawan Ranveer Singh Chauhan said,
“Work is underway at a great speed. Everyone is working very hard. We were
saddened yesterday because we weren’t able to communicate with those trapped.
But then we were able to communicate with them.”
Meanwhile, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh
Dhami said he is in contact with the officials briefing him about the relief
and rescue operation underway at the tunnel.
Information about the tunnel collapse was received at
the District Control Room Uttarkashi with the caller requesting the assistance
of an SDRF team at the spot.
Acting on the information, SDRF Commander Manikant
Mishra immediately directed a rescue team under the leadership of Inspector
Jagdamba Vijalwan to leave for the spot with the necessary rescue equipment,
they said.
“After reaching the spot, SDRF started a relief and
rescue operation on a war footing in coordination with other rescue units,” the
official said.
ANI
