Rescue efforts in the Indian Himalayas, aimed at reaching workers ensnared for nearly a week in a collapsed highway tunnel, face a setback as the primary drilling apparatus malfunctions. The disaster management office has revised the tally of those trapped in the Uttarakhand state tunnel to 41, with all reported as safe. The augur machine, crucial for the operation, fractured on Friday, prompting the dispatch of a replacement from Madhya Pradesh. Anshu Malik Halko, director at the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation, indicated that the delicate task of removing the defective machine and installing the new one poses inherent risks, making it challenging to specify a timeline.
Authorities remain tight-lipped about the cause of the 4.5-km tunnel collapse, although the region’s susceptibility to landslides, earthquakes, and floods raises concerns. The incident occurred during the overnight shift, involving 50 to 60 workers, with those closer to the exit managing to evacuate through the national highway, an integral segment of the Char Dham Hindu pilgrimage route.
Work was temporarily halted on Friday due to a substantial cracking sound during attempts to restart the drilling machine, as reported by the NHIDC. Approximately 100 tunnel workers congregated at the site on Saturday, expressing frustration over the perceived sluggishness in the rescue operation. Vishnu Sahu, a laborer leading the protest, conveyed dissatisfaction with the lack of transparency regarding the rescue’s pace and urged top officials from the company to be present at the site.
By Reuters
