Uttarakhand tunnel collapse: An explanation of the most recent technical issue with auger machine drilling

A technical problem with the auger machine, which is used to drill through the rubble, forced a temporary halt to the rescue operations at the Uttarakhand tunnel collapse site on Thursday. Officials promised that the stranded labourers would be released “soon,” but the stop was brought on by a malfunctioning machine. They asked the media not to speculate on a rescue operation’s timetable because they believed it would “mislead” the public and assured them that work was underway to fix the machine.

Former Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) advisor Bhaskar Khulbe pointed out that compression from drilling friction necessitated the removal of a 2-meter section of the inserted pipe.

Mahmood Ahmed, Additional Secretary Technical at Road and Transport, spoke about the machine’s technical issue during a media briefing on Friday.

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“An additional eight to nine people have joined the team to help with the rescue effort. We had to retrieve and repair the auger’s blades because they were damaged. Obstacles are being caused by metal and debris stuck in the section of the tunnel that collapsed. To stop the machine from breaking down any more, the tunnel is being cleaned. With 14 meters remaining, we have covered 45 meters,” Ahmed stated.

He went on to say that because of the increased torque and longer distance, the concrete that supports the auger machine has weakened. “We want to go over the 45-meter barrier.” We reinforced it quickly with grouting and rock bolting during the pipe cleaning, adding extra concrete mixed with an accelerator for quick strength,” he continued.

The official added during the briefing on Friday before 3 p.m., “Welding a new pipe will take about two hours.” We kindly request everyone’s prayers for a trouble-free journey ahead. We hope to finish this in two hours, but there’s a possibility that the work

On November 12, a section of the Silkyara to Barkot tunnel, which is still under construction, collapsed, trapping 41 labourers in a 60-meter section on the Silkyara side due to debris. On Friday, the rescue effort reached its thirteenth day.

These labourers are imprisoned inside a 2-kilometre section of the tunnel that is finished and has concrete structures that protect the trapped people.

Media is asked by NDMA not to “guess” at timelines

Regarding the Uttarakhand tunnel rescue operation, National Disaster Management Authority member Gen. Syed Ata Hasnain stated on Friday that the state and federal governments are working together to save the “sons of India,” making sure that no resources are spared for the rescue effort.

It’s an extremely difficult procedure. According to PTI, Lt Gen Syed Ata Hasnain stated, “A war is being fought to save the sons of India who have been toiling up there in the mountain, and the government of India is ensuring that no resources which are required and have not been mustered for this particular rescue operation will be left.”

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The NDMA requested that the media refrain from speculating about when rescue operations might be finished because doing so could mislead the public. They emphasized the cooperative efforts of several state governments and federal agencies involved in the Silkyara tunnel rescue operations.

He said that since Thursday, there has been no progress in getting pipe through the debris in the tunnel; roughly 15 meters of drilling remain to get to the workers who are stuck.