Uttarkashi rescue operation of 40 workers enters day 5, auger drill machine installed to expedite digging process

An auger drill machine was being placed to speed up the process of excavating through the debris and rescuing the 40 workers trapped in an under-construction tunnel in Silkyara, Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand. Rescuers were working against time to bring back the workers. Aside from that, regular communication was used to keep an eye on the confined workers’ mental health.

Given the precarious condition of the mountains where the tunnel is located, experts from Norway and Thailand were taken into consideration. 800 mm of evacuation tubes must be inserted through nearly 50 meters of debris.

On Thursday at 10:50 a.m., Union Minister General (retd) VK Singh is expected to visit the tunnel to assess the progress of the rescue efforts.

To free the trapped workers, a rescue crew will also try to place a 900 mm-long conduit through the debris. Rails may be put in the pipe to remove the workers from the tunnel without requiring them to fight their way out of the pipe.

Three consignments of the new auger drill machine, transported from Delhi by Indian Air Force (IAF) Hercules aircraft from Chinyalisaur helipad, arrived at the tunnel in the meantime.

The machine’s weight was causing the truck to move slowly. Three trucks were being used to deliver the drilling machine and its components to the tunnel.

The 24 tonne drilling equipment has the capacity to cut the tunnel at a speed of 5 mm per hour if it operates as intended.

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