Attempts to remove debris from the tunnel entrance have been unsuccessful thus far. Image by BBC
Rescuers in Uttarakhand, India, are exploring innovative approaches to save workers trapped in a collapsed tunnel
Rescue efforts in India for 41 workers trapped in a tunnel for eight days are undergoing a shift as initial plans to insert metal pipes were halted due to concerns.
New strategies involve drilling two parallel tunnels to serve as a potential escape route for the trapped workers after part of the under-construction tunnel collapsed following a landslide in Uttarakhand.
The workers have been in contact and provided with oxygen, food, and water since the incident on November 12.
Uttarakhand Disaster Management Secretary Ranjit Sinha explained that they are now working on side tunnels for escape, with drilling efforts being expanded from both ends of the tunnel.
Federal Highways and Roads Minister Nitin Gadkari visited the site, stating that rescue operations for the trapped workers in the Himalayan terrain could take “two to three days.”
He explained that auger drilling machines were being used, with the first encountering issues with rocks, which were resolved by experts.
Tensions rose on Saturday between families of the workers and rescue officials, with families demanding expedited drilling.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured seamless coordination between federal and state rescuers, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the morale of the stranded workers.
The Silkyara tunnel in Uttarkashi district is part of a government project to enhance highway connectivity between pilgrimage sites in Uttarakhand, a state known for its sacred Hindu sites amid its mountainous landscape.