Workers trapped in collapsed Uttarkashi tunnel received dry snacks, antidepressants

A week has passed since 41 workmen were trapped when portions of an under-construction tunnel at Silkyara in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand collapsed. The government is currently working to free the stranded labourers. Meanwhile, food has been sent through a 4-inch conduit by the rescue officials.

 

According to the government, in addition to limited food and communication, the workers who have been stranded are receiving dry fruits, multivitamins, and antidepressants.

 

Anurag Jain, the secretary of roads, transport, and highways, gave an update on the rescue efforts following the collapse of the Uttarkashi tunnel on Sunday. He also stated that water and electricity are available in a two-kilometer section of the tunnel, which is the completed section of the 4.531-kilometer, two-lane, bidirectional tunnel at Silkyara in Uttarkashi.

 

Jain said, ‘Fortunately, there is light inside because the electricity is on. There is a pipeline, and thus water is available. There is a 4-inch pipe, which was used for compression. Through that, we are sending food from day 1.’

 

‘We are sending multivitamins, antidepressants and dry fruits to workers who have been trapped inside the under-construction tunnel at Silkyara in Uttarkashi,’ he said.

 

The Char Dham all-weather road project’s vital Silkyara tunnel collapsed last Sunday, sparking rescue operations. Authorities are actively involved in the effort despite difficulties, such as a malfunction in the auger equipment needed to drill an escape tunnel.

 

A cracking sound heard during the placement of a fifth pipe caused concerns about a possible additional collapse, which led to the temporary suspension of the rescue effort on Friday afternoon.

 

The Union administration called a high-level meeting to discuss five rescue options and allocate particular tasks to different agencies. Mahmood Ahmed, the MD of National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), is in charge of managing the Silkyara location’s coordination with government agencies.

 

There is constant observation of the situation and work in progress to guarantee early access to the stranded labourers.