Uttarakhand tunnel collapse: Who is Arnold Dix, leading rescue operation in Silkyara tunnel?
PTC Web Desk: Rescue operation is going on a war footing to safely evacuate a group of 41 workers trapped in Uttarkashi's Silkyara tunnel since November 12. Leading this daring operation is Arnold Dix, a globally acclaimed tunnelling expert known for his prowess in legal, environmental, and ethical aspects of underground construction.
Following tireless efforts, the rescue team triumphed in clearing the final stretch of rubble early Tuesday.
As the president of the International Tunnelling and Underground Space Association in Geneva, Arnold Dix's credentials include a science and law degree from Monash University, Melbourne, solidifying his reputation as a seasoned legal professional, as detailed on his website, arnolddix.com.
With over three decades dedicated to ensuring underground safety, Dix's contributions extended to volunteering at the Qatar Red Crescent Society between 2016 and 2019, focusing on devising strategies for handling underground incidents, according to his LinkedIn profile.
In 2020, Dix partnered with Lord Robert Mair Peter Vickery QC to establish Underground Works Chambers, aimed at providing innovative solutions for complex challenges in subterranean spaces.
In a touching moment, Arnold Dix stood alongside local spiritual leaders to offer prayers for the safe rescue of the trapped workers. His earlier commitment to reunite the workers with their families "by Christmas" exceeded expectations, thanks to the team's success in breaching the 60-metre debris blockage in the collapsed Silkyara tunnel on Tuesday.
Dix praised the incredible progress made in the rescue operation, crediting the efficiency of a plasma cutter in dislodging stuck auger parts from the rubble.
- With inputs from agencies
