Uttarakhand tunnel rescue operation enters Day 5; more essential supplies delivered to 40 trapped workers

Uttarakhand tunnel rescue Day-5: Rescue operations in Uttarakhand's Silkyara Tunnel, now in its fifth day, strive to free 40 trapped workers. Since November 12, these workers have remained entrapped, their survival at risk.

Amidst this crisis, efforts persist to sustain the workers with essential food and medicines. Continuous communication aims to uphold their morale during this dire situation. The arrival of an 'American auger' machine offers hope for expedited rescue. This equipment, pivotal in clearing debris, holds promise to hasten the workers' liberation.

Transported in parts to Chinyalisaur airport, 30 kilometers from the tunnel, the machine's assembly is part of a plan to carve a path through the rubble. Upon its completion, the installation of steel pipes aims to create a passage for the trapped workers.

However, challenges persist. Recent landslides disrupted operations, necessitating the dismantling of the machine and halting progress. The Himalayan terrain presents complexities, with soft rocks impeding rescue efforts. Dr. Sudhir Krishna, an expert, emphasised the region's challenges, citing land subsidence and the demanding terrain. He stressed collaborative efforts between state and central authorities, urging caution in rushing such projects.

The tunnel is part of the Char Dham initiative, aimed at enhancing connectivity to revered Hindu pilgrimage sites. Amidst this tragedy, the larger vision of bolstering connectivity and travel efficiency remains a point of contemplation.

- With inputs from agencies

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