Uttarakhand Tunnel Collapse News Live Updates: Rescue operation underway after a portion of a tunnel under construction between Silkyara and Dandalgaon on the Brahmakhal-Yamunotri national highway collapsed, in Uttarkashi district, Sunday. (PTI)Uttarakhand, Uttarkashi Tunnel Collapse News Highlights, November 14: Rescue operations continued in Uttarkashi on Tuesday morning, as rescuers at the under-construction tunnel collapse site began the process of inserting large-diameter mild steel pipes through rubble using an auger machine, officials said. The 40 workers who have been trapped in the collapsed tunnel for two days now are safe and being provided with food, water and oxygen, authorities further assured.
The pipes will be pushed in using the horizontal drilling equipment to create an escape passage for the workers, officials added. Disaster Management Secretary Ranjit Kumar Sinha, who visited the tunnel on Monday, had said the trapped labourers could be rescued by Tuesday night or Wednesday.
The Uttarakhand government, meanwhile, has constituted a six-member expert committee to probe the accident. Rescue operations at the tunnel, which was being built to connect Silkyara and Dandalgaon in Uttarkashi district, commenced on Sunday. The State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), along with police and local administration personnel, swung into action as soon as they were informed of the accident, said Superintendent of Police (Uttarkashi) Arpan Yaduvanshi. The operation involves two JCBs and a Poclain machine being used to remove debris inside the 13-metre-wide tunnel. An escape passage is being created to reach the trapped workers, and the distance to reach those trapped is approximately 60 meters.
Rescue operation underway after a portion of a tunnel under construction between Silkyara and Dandalgaon on the Brahmakhal-Yamunotri national highway collapsed, in Uttarkashi district. (PTI)
After large excavators could not clear the rubble blocking an under-construction tunnel in Uttarkashi where 40 workers are trapped, rescuers are now using a “trenchless” technique, putting together passages made of mild steel pipes right through the debris so the men can crawl out.
It was around 5.30 am on Sunday that the under-construction tunnel on the Yamunotri National Highway, meant to connect Silkyara and Dandalgaon in Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi district, collapsed.
While officials say the men are safe – communication has been established via walkie-talkies and they are being supplied food and oxygen via a pipe meant to supply water – two and a half days have elapsed since they got trapped. (Read More)
Rescue workers on Tuesday began the process of inserting wide steel pipes through the rubble of the collapsed under-construction tunnel on the Chardham route to bring out the 40 labourers trapped inside for two days now, officials said.
The plan was to push through 900-mm diameter sections of mild steel pipes -- one after the other -- into the rubble using drilling equipment and create an escape passage for the workers, who officials say are safe and being provided with oxygen, water, food packets and medicines through tubes.
The work of making the platform of the horizontal drilling machine in the Silkyara Tunnel is going on at a fast pace. The SDRF team under the leadership of Commandant SDRF, Shri Manikant Mishra is continuously engaged in rescue work at the spot.
The family of 40-year-old Raju Nayak from Odisha’s Mayurbhanj keep checking their phones for updates from Uttarkashi, where he is among the 40 workers trapped inside an under-construction tunnel since it partially collapsed on Sunday morning.
“We know that all efforts are being made by the administration for the safe rescue of all the workers. I know my son – he is brave and a fighter. He will come back. We all are praying for the safe return of all the workers,” said Muchiram Nayak, Raju’s father. (Read More)
According to experts, the auger machine drills just around 1 metre in an hour.
Family members of Uttarakhand resident Gabbar Singh Negi arrived at the site of the tunnel collapse in Uttarkashi on Tuesday.
His son said that he was able to talk to his father who informed him that they are alright and the administration is helping them.
Another family member however said that the administration is working very slowly.
When the auger machine drills, because of its spiral shape it pushes the muck backwards.
Metal slopes will be used to collect and remove that muck, so that the pipes could be pushed easily.
It has been over 50 hours and the plan to remove debris using heavy excavator machines, and prevent more debris from falling using the “shotcrete method,” has only been partially successful.
As a new plan, an auger machine has been brought from state capital Dehradun. The machine is already inside the tunnel. The plan is to use the machine to drill through the pile of debris and subsequently push 900 mm wide metal pipes to create a passage through the debris.
Talking to The Indian Express, a Railway official said that the process should be easy and not as complex as removing the debris itself.
As the operation to rescue 40 trapped workers at a partially collapsed tunnel in Uttarakhand's Uttarkashi continues, we explain the details behind the mission.
Rescue operations continued on Tuesday morning at the site of the collapsed tunnel in Uttarakhand's Uttarkashi.
The Jharkhand government on Monday sent a three-member team to provide assistance to assist in the rescue operations.
The team comprises one IAS officer, Bhuvanesh Pratap Singh, and two joint secretaries from the state’s labour department. The officers will start giving regular updates to the migrant control room Tuesday onwards.
A source in the Jharkhand government told The Indian Express: “As of now, the team is in Delhi. They should reach the spot in Uttarakhand by 1 pm Tuesday.”
Family members of some of those trapped have been making inquiries at Jharkhand’s migrant control room regarding the incident, sources said.
The Uttarakhand government has constituted a six-member expert committee to probe the Uttarkashi tunnel collapse accident.
Rescue operations continued in Uttarkashi on Tuesday morning, as rescuers at the under-construction tunnel collapse site began the process of inserting large-diameter mild steel pipes through rubble using an auger machine, officials said. The 40 workers who have been trapped in the collapsed tunnel for two days now are safe and being provided with food, water and oxygen, authorities further assured.
The pipes will be pushed in using the horizontal drilling equipment to create an escape passage for the workers, officials added.
All 40 workers trapped in an under-construction tunnel on the Char Dham route are safe and being sent food and water, authorities assured but said the rescue operation could take up to two more days.
Secretary Disaster Management Ranjit Kumar Sinha who visited the tunnel said the trapped labourers could be rescued by Tuesday night or Wednesday.
NHIDCL Director Anshu Manish Khalkho said, "We are trying out all options to secure their early and safe evacuation. We have a plan A, plan B and plan C ready and are progressing accordingly."
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said he was deeply concerned about the situation in Uttarakhand where several workers, including some from the state, are trapped inside an under-construction tunnel that collapsed. The workers from the state were identified as Tapan Mandal and Bhagaban Batra of Nabarangpur, and Bisweswar Nayak, Raju Naik and Dhiren of Mayurbhanj.
"Deeply concerned to know that several workers including workers from Odisha have been trapped following collapse of an under-construction tunnel in Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand. Praying for the safe and speedy rescue of all the workers," Patnaik said.
Excavation with shotcreting (spraying concrete) for 40 meter of collapsed tunnel is under progress and chimney formation along the tunnel has started. A cavity has been formed 10 meter above the crown (highest point of tunnel) at both the left and right sides.
Over the night, following two options have been chosen:
(i) Removal of loose muck to continue along with shotcreting. As of Monday 12.30 pm, 21 meters of loose debris has removed, but minor fall of debris has reduced the excavation to the tune of 14 meters.
(ii) To push a 900 mm Dia MS Steel Pipe with the help of Hydraulic Jack to evacuate the work force trapped inside. The 900 mm Dia MS Steel Pipe from Haridwar is likely to reach the site by Monday evening. An expert team from the Irrigation Department is reaching the project site to assist in successful pushing of steel pipe.
Water, food, oxygen, small food packets and electricity are available with the work force trapped inside the tunnel.
Talking to the media, Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Dhami hinted at the challenges faced by the rescue teams in the operation. He said that the debris is still falling even as the rescue teams continue to clear the piled up debris.
Shashi Chauhan, a mechanic for Navyuga, said that there were around 50-60 workers and they were coming out after ending their night shift to celebrate Diwali. Some of the workers were out before the collapse, which blocked the way for 40 workers.
"Initially there was panic among the workers trapped inside, but after continuous communication was established around midnight and food was provided, they felt relaxed. There is enough light and space inside. They also have walkie talkies and extra batteries," he said.
Prima facie appears that the blockage is caused by a section of the tunnel collapsing around 200 metres from the entrance due to a cavity created. Officials are using heavy excavator machines to remove the debris and load it on trucks.
Around 60 metres the tunnel is blocked and so far they have cleared around 20 metres.
Secretary Disaster Management Ranjit Sinha has just reached the spot. He will give updates after inspection.
(Photos by Avaneesh Mishra)
On operation rescue operation at Silkyara Tunnel on Uttarkashi-Yamnotri road, Uttarakhand CM PS Dhami said, "The PM has assured of all possible help. NDRF, SDRF, other agencies and experts are working to rescue the 40 stranded persons. We want to assure the families of those stranded that the state government and administration are making every effort to rescue them."
Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Dhami arrivds in Uttarkashi to take stock of situation in Uttarkashi.
The work of removing the debris is going on continuously to rescue the workers trapped in the Silkyara Tunnel. Heavy excavator machines have been mobilized to remove the debris. At present all the workers are said to be safe. Oxygen is being supplied through the pipeline laid for supplying water in the tunnel. Through this pipeline, food packets are also being sent using a compressor.
Rescue and relief operations continued on Monday morning, after an under-construction tunnel on the Yamunotri National Highway partially collapsed on Sunday, leaving 40 construction workers trapped inside. Silkyara Control Room said on Monday that the people trapped were contacted through walkie-talkies, and they are all unharmed. Additionally, authorities are sending the workers food through the pipe. Distance to reach those trapped is approximately 60 meters.
On Uttarkashi Tunnel accident, Prashant Kumar, Circle Officer of Uttarkashi said, "The present situation is, that yesterday we established communication with the people trapped inside the tunnel. We have moved around 15 mtrs inside the tunnel, and around 35 mtrs 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."
Rescue and relief operations continued on Monday morning, after an under-construction tunnel on the Yamunotri National Highway partially collapsed on Sunday, leaving 40 construction workers trapped inside. Rescue operations at the tunnel, which was being built to connect Silkyara and Dandalgaon in Uttarkashi district, commenced on Sunday.