Uttarakhand tunnel collapse rescue Highlights: Rescuers face technical glitch again

The Rescue team has faced a technical glitch again, a report by the news agency ANI said. Auger machine is being brought out once again. Drilling halted, the report added. 

Uttarakhand CM PS Dhami takes stock of Silkyara tunnel rescue operation in Uttarkashi and directs the officials that the last phase of the rescue operation should be conducted at a fast pace and with complete caution

NDMA member Lt General Syed Ata Hasnain (Retd.) in a presser said that the drilling work was stopped last evening following facing certain difficulties and has been stopped for almost 24 hours. However, on a positive note, he pointed out that other work is still in progress for the rescue of the 41 trapped workers inside the tunnel. 

In a press conference, NDMA member Lt General Syed Ata Hasnain (Retd.) said that the rescue operation in the Uttarakhand tunnel collapse is "no less than a war." "It is a war fought to save the sons of india who have been toiling there," he added. 

Member of the National Disaster Management Authority, Lt General Syed Ata Hasnain (Retd.) says, "Using ground penetrating radar, it has been detected that there is no obstacle the next 5 metres on our path. We continue to use this to detect obstacles, if any."

Uttarakhand government said that the auger machine had to be disassembled due to steel pipes coming in front of it. The pipe that was being inserted inside to rescue the workers was also getting bent. Because of this, the auger machine was damaged. However, it has been repaired now. 
 

Additional Secretary (Technical, Road and Transport) Mahmood Ahmed has said that a new pipe will be inserted inside the tunnel.

"The auger drilling machine has been reassembled. A new pipe will be put in after the welding which process will take two hours. After two hours, we will push the pipe in (inside the tunnel). I hope we face no obstacles," he said as quoted by ANI.

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Bhaskar Khulbe, the former PMO advisor who is involved in the rescue work, has said that drilling will start in 45 minutes.

"Drilling will start after 45 minutes. There are no issues, it takes time to collect all the equipment... All the metal has been taken out... We are trying to rescue them (workers) by the evening," said Khulbe as quoted by ANI.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has spoken on phone with Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and has taken update on the rescue work. Uttarakhand government has said that the prime minister has also given some instructions to the CM

"Information was taken about the rescue operation...The PM also inquired about the condition of the workers trapped inside the tunnel and the food and daily routine items provided to them. Information was also taken about the condition and safety of the personnel engaged in relief and rescue work..." the Department of Information and Public Relations of Uttarakhand said.

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel have carried out demonstration of how wheeled stretchers will be moved through the pipeline which has been inserted to bring the trapped workers to the surface.

As rescuers prepare to pull the workers out, relatives are still praying for their safe return.

"This morning we talked to him through walkie talkie. During the conversation, we inquired about his well-being and my brother was also asking about the other members of the family. Everything like food, drink, clothing is being available to them inside the tunnel. I just wish that he returns safely" said Haridwar Sharma, brother of a trapper worker.

"My brother Sonu Shah is stuck inside the tunnel for the last 12 days but his courage is high. Inside the tunnel he is getting everything like food, clothes, brush paste. I spoke to him this morning around 8:00 am. He also hopes that his rescue operation will happen soon. As family members, we are also very excited. When will we see them and every member of the family is waiting for his return," said Sudhanshu Shah, Sonu's brother. Sonu Shah is a soldier who is trapped inside.

Both of them were quoted by ANI.

According to Khulbe, the drilling is expected to start around 11-11:30 am IST. He added that ground penetration study has shown that there is no metallic obstruction in the next five metres. 

Union Minister of State for Road Transport & Highways and Civil Aviation General VK Singh (Retd) reached the the Silkyara tunnel site  to oversee the rescue operation. 

Bhaskar Khulbe, the former advisor to the PMO said the rescue officials remained hopeful that the workers will be rescued today.

"We hope that we will be able to rescue them (workers) by today evening," said Khulbe. 

"The situation is much better now. Last night, we had to work on two things. First, we had to revamp the platform of the machine... Parsons Company had done the ground penetration radar, through which we got to know that for the next 5 meters, there is no metallic obstruction. This means that our drilling should be smooth."

"Along with this, it has been decided not to celebrate the Egas festival which is celebrated with great pomp in Uttarakhand today. Today, on the occasion of Egas, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami was to participate in this festival along with about a thousand people at the Chief Minister's residence which he also cancelled," an official statement said.

"People who reached the Chief Minister's residence celebrated the festival with utmost simplicity by worshipping the cow. On this occasion, people also prayed to God for the safe exit of the workers trapped in the tunnel as soon as possible," it added.

"Currently, the machine is being repaired, which will take a few hours. If no other problem arises, the rescue operation will possibly resume tomorrow morning after 9 am," an official said.