The Centre has finalised a five-option action plan to
rescue the 41 workers trapped inside a collapsed tunnel for over a week. Under
this plan five separate agencies would work on these alternatives, which
involve drilling from three sides to access the trapped workers.
“The government has taken a decision to work on all
fronts to save the precious lives,” said Transport and Highways Secretary
Anurag Jain.
The decision was taken in a high-level meeting where
various options were examined based on experts’ advice.
“Five options were decided and five different agencies
were detailed to carry out these options. Five agencies namely Oil and Natural
Gas Corporation (ONGC), Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam (SJVNL), Rail Vikas Nigam
Limited (RVNL), National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation
Limited (NHIDCL), and Tehri Hydro Development Corporation Limited (THDCL) have
been assigned responsibilities,” he said.
Jain said the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) and the
construction wing of the Indian Army have also been assisting in the rescue
operation.
Five Alternatives
1. Vertical drilling by the Satluj Jail Vidyut Nigam
from the top of the tunnel to save the trapped labourers.
2. The Rail Vikas Nigam has commenced work on another
vertical pipeline for important supplies after the Border Roads Organisation finished
an approach road in just a day.
3. The ONGC, having expertise with deep drilling
expertise, has begun work on vertical drilling from another end.
4. The National Highways and Infrastructure
Development body will continue to drill from the main Silkyara end after
working out the safety arrangements. To facilitate this, the Army has prepared
the box culvert. A canopy framework is being made to ensure workers’ safety.
5. The Tehri Hydro Development Corporation will work
on micro tunnelling, for which heavy machinery has already been mobilised.
Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari and
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami visited the site of the tunnel
collapse on Sunday. Gadkari said the priority was to keep the workers alive.
“If the auger machine works properly, we will be able
to reach them in the next 2 to 2.5 days. Roads are being made by BRO (Border
Roads Organisition) to bring in special machines,” he stated.
Doctors have emphasised the need for comprehensive
rehabilitation for the trapped workers, fearing that the prolonged confinement
may necessitate both mental and physical recovery processes.
The 41 workers have been stuck since last Sunday after
a portion of the tunnel caved in. Officials said all workers are safe and are
being supplied food and water through steel pipes that have been drilled into
the opening.
The under-construction tunnel is part of the ambitious
Char Dham project, a national infrastructure initiative to enhance connectivity
to the Hindu pilgrimage sites of Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri.
NE Watch Desk
