The rescue efforts to save 40 construction workers trapped in the under construction Silkyara tunnel suffered a snag on Friday delaying the operations. The high-power drilling ‘auger machine’ had to stop after, reportedly, it managed to drill 22 metres on the sixth day of the rescue operations.
According to officials, the rescue workers have to drill up to 60 metres to insert 800 and 900 milimetre diameter pipes to pave an escape path for those trapped inside the tunnel.
The diesel-operated machine was pressed into service on Thursday at 10:30 am. The American auger machine was said to have a capacity of drilling up to four or five metres per hour. But the progress has been 'slower' than expected since it was used.
According to officials, there is constant communication with those trapped and basic requirements including medicines are sent to them through pipes.
In its latest update on the rescue operation, the National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) said the fifth pipe -- being used to prepare an escape passage for the trapped workers -- is being positioned on Friday.
Meanwhile, amid rescue operations, a C-17 transport aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF) has been deployed to airlift almost 22 tonnes of critical equipment from Indore to Dehradun.
"The IAF has continued with its operations to assist the ongoing tunnel rescue underway at Dharasu, Uttarakhand. An IAF C-17 has been deployed to airlift almost 22 Tonnes of critical equipment from Indore to Dehradun. #FirstResponders #HADROps," the IAF posted on X.
It also shared images of the C-17 aircraft and a machine on-board in its post.
An additional auger machine was called by rescuers as a backup and is expected to arrive at the accident site by Saturday morning.
The round-the-clock rescue work is being helmed by 165 personnel from multiple agencies, including the National Disaster Response Force, State Disaster Response Force, Border Roads Organisation and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police, the State Emergency Operation Centre said.