Uttarkashi’s Trapped Workers May Soon Get Cooked Food Via New Pipeline; At least 2 Days More for Rescue: Authorities

With the work on a bigger six-inch diameter pipeline completed, authorities believe that now even hot cooked food could be served to the 41 workers who are stuck in the tunnel collapse in Uttarkashi since November 12. So far, only packed dried food, including chana and dry fruits, was being given to them.

Speaking to News18, Road, Transport and Highways Secretary Anurag Jain said that the testing is being done in the new six-inch pipe now and soon they are expecting that hot cooked food will be served to them.

“The new six-inch pipeline is functional on an experimental basis. Small packets are being shared with the workers to check if there is any blockage in it," he said, while talking to News18. Jain was confident that in the next couple of hours, the pipeline could be fully functional.

On being asked if the Ministry has been able to assess the reason behind the collapse, he said that currently the priority is to save lives. “The reason is for a later stage. Currently, the priority is saving lives," he said.

STUCK SINCE NOV 12

On November 12, a collapse occurred in the under-construction tunnel from Silkyara to Barkot due to debris falling in a 60-meter stretch on the Silkyara side.

On Monday, the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) completed the drilling of the pipeline with six-inch diameter for supply of food, medicines, and other essential items. So far, it was done through a four-inch pipe.

Jain also said that these men stuck in the tunnel are robust manpower who have been working together for a long time now. They, he added, are like a community. He was confident of saving lives.

“It was the two-kilometre finished part of the tunnel with water and electricity supply. There were bulbs as well. There was a compressor pipe that was being used so far for food supply," he said.

He added that the authorities, from various departments and expertise, are leaving no stone unturned to save their lives.

AMERICAN AUGUR: THE FASTEST METHOD

Speaking to the media on Tuesday, Jain said they were not wasting any time and were exploring all possible options.

The fastest approach for rescue is the horizontal boring by NHIDCL with an American Augur machine.

Explaining the process, he said that horizontal boring from the Silkyara end to rescue workers using an Augur boring machine is underway and if everything goes smooth, it could take two-three days at least.

“Each method has got its different timeline. American augur is the fastest method. But it also has its limitations. If there is any blockage of steel or hard rock, then that has to be removed manually. If the passage is smooth, it can be done in the next two-three days. But every blockage in the route will increase the rescue time by a few hours," he explained.

He added that fabrication of a protective canopy for the drilling machine is underway, with modifications to the augur diameter and welding of the pipeline in progress.

VERTICAL, HORIZONTAL, PERPENDICULAR DRILLING, DRIFT TUNNEL

Another method being considered was vertical drilling for rescue by the Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam (SJVNL).

“SJVNL’s machine for the vertical rescue tunnel construction has arrived at the site, with installation currently underway. Machines are being transported from Gujarat and Odisha for this purpose," he said.

The authorities are also exploring horizontal drilling from Barkot side by the Tehri Hydro Development Corporation Limited (THDCL). They have initiated the construction of a rescue tunnel from the Barkot end, with two blasts already completed, resulting in a 6.4-meter drift. Three blasts are planned per day.

In addition, perpendicular-horizontal drilling by Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) is also planned and they are transporting machinery for micro-tunneling through horizontal drilling to rescue labourers. Additional backup machines are being brought in from Odisha.

For the rescue, vertical drilling toward Barkot end by Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) is also planned and they are mobilising machinery from the USA, Mumbai, and Ghaziabad for vertical boring.

Meanwhile, preparations are also being done for the drift tunnel by manual-semi mechanised method by a joint team of THDCL/Army/Coal India and NHIDCL. Work is underway to create a drift inside the tunnel, with a safe channel established from 180 meters to 150 meters. The Army is mobilising box culverts for this purpose.

Road-cutting and supportive Work by BRO is also underway with work on an approach road for vertical drilling by SJVNL completed within 48 hours. The work is going on for the approach road for ONGC, with geological surveys conducted by ONGC.