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Uttarkashi tunnel rescue: All 41 workers extricated safely from collapsed Silkyara tunnel

Following the almost 17-day timeline of the disaster and the rescue efforts that was lauded by leaders across the country.

South First Desk

Published Nov 29, 2023 | 1:47 AM ⚊ Updated Nov 29, 2023 | 1:49 AM

Uttarkashi tunnel operation. (Sourced)

Uttarkashi tunnel operation. (Sourced)

After almost 17 days of intense efforts by multiple agencies, all 41 workers trapped in Uttarakhand’s Silkyara tunnel in Uttarkashi were evacuated safely on Tuesday, 28 November.

President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the country in hailing the successful operation.

The following is a timeline of the disaster and the rescue efforts:

12 November: The labourers are trapped as portions of the Silkyara-Dandalgaon under-construction tunnel on the Brahmkhal-Yamunotri highway collapse following a landslide around 5.30 am on the day of Deepavali.

Arrangements are made to supply oxygen, electricity, and food to the trapped labourers through air-compressed pipes as multiple agencies — including the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Border Roads Organisation (BRO), project-executing agency NHIDCL, and ITBP — begin rescue efforts.

13 November: Contact is established with the trapped workers through a pipe meant to supply oxygen to them. They are reported to be safe. Fresh rubble keeps falling from above, due to which debris accumulates.

14 November: Steel pipes of 800-mm and 900-mm diameter are brought to the tunnel site to be inserted through the rubble with the help of an auger machine for horizontal digging.

However, when more rubble falls from the cavity created by the cave-in, two labourers sustain minor injuries.

15 November: Dissatisfied with the first drilling machine, the NHIDCL asks for a state-of-the-art auger machine, which is airlifted from Delhi to speed up the operation.

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16 November: The drilling machine is assembled and installed. It starts working past midnight.

17 November: The machine drills about 24 metres through the 57-metre rubble by the afternoon, and four MS pipes are inserted. The process comes to a halt when the fifth pipe hits an obstacle. Another high-performance auger machine is flown down for the rescue efforts.

In the evening, during the positioning of the fifth pipe, a big cracking sound is heard in the tunnel. The operation is suspended immediately for fear of the possibility of further collapse in the vicinity.

18 November: Drilling does not resume as experts feel that the vibrations created by the diesel-driven 1,750-horse-power American auger inside the tunnel might cause more debris to collapse, posing a risk to the lives of the rescue personnel.

Alternative options are explored by a team of officials from the PMO and experts who decide to work on five evacuation plans simultaneously, including vertical drilling through the top of the tunnel to rescue the trapped labourers.

19 November: Drilling remains suspended as Union minister Nitin Gadkari, who reviews the rescue operation, says boring horizontally, as the huge auger machine appears to be the best bet.

20 November: Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks to Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Dhami over the phone to take stock of the operations. However, the team is yet to resume the horizontal drilling, suspended after a boulder appeared to block the progress of the auger machine.

21 November: Rescuers release the first video of the trapped labourers. The workers, wearing yellow and white helmets, are seen receiving food items sent to them through a pipeline and talking to each other.

Two blasts are set off at the Balkot end of the tunnel, beginning the process of drilling another tunnel — an alternative to the Silkyara-end option. But experts said the approach could take up to 40 days.

NHIDCL resumes overnight the horizontal boring operation from the Silkyara end that involved an auger machine.

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22 November: Horizontal drilling of 800-mm-diameter steel pipes reaches about 45 metres, with only 12 metres remaining of the around 57-m debris stretch. Ambulances are kept on standby. However, in a late-evening development, the drilling hits a hurdle when some iron rods come in the way of the auger machine.

23 November: The iron obstruction that caused a delay of six hours in the drilling is removed. Officials say the 48-metre point has been reached by the drill. But boring through the rubble is put on hold again, apparently after cracks appear in the platform on which the drilling machine rests.

24 November: The 25-tonne machine is restarted and drilling is resumed. However, in a fresh hurdle, the drill hits a metal girder, halting the operation again.

25 November: The blades of the auger machine drilling through the rubble are stuck in the debris, forcing officials to consider switching to options that could drag on the rescue by several days, even weeks. Officials now consider two alternatives: Manual drilling through the remaining 10-12 metres of the rubble or drilling down 86 metres from above.

26 November: Vertical drilling of 19.2 metres is done to create an alternative escape route. As the drilling progresses, 700-mm-wide pipes are inserted to create an escape passage.

27 November: Rat-hole mining experts are called in to help, with rescuers required to dig through horizontally around 10 metres of rubble. Simultaneously, vertical drilling from above the tunnel has reached a depth of 36 metres.

28 November: Rat-hole mining experts break through the last stretch of the rubble at about 7 pm. NDRF and SDRF men enter the steel chute to reach the trapped workers and start bringing them out on wheeled stretchers one by one. All 41 workers are evacuated safely.

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Leaders laud rescue operation

Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded a successful operation, asserting that everyone involved in the mission has created an amazing example of humanity and teamwork.

Modi also spoke to the rescued construction workers over the phone and enquired about their well-being, officials said. The prime minister said the multi-agency rescue exercise has made everyone emotional.

In a post on X soon after the workers were brought out of the Silkyara tunnel in Uttarkashi, Modi saluted the spirit of those involved in the operation and said their courage and resolve have given a new lease of life to the 41 labourers.

“Everyone involved in the mission has created an amazing example of humanity and teamwork,” he said. “It is a matter of great satisfaction that these friends of ours will meet their dear ones after a long wait,” the prime minister said, asserting that the patience and courage of their family members cannot be praised enough.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin also lauded the successful operation.

He posted on X, “Relieved to hear that all 41 workers trapped in the #Uttarkashi tunnel collapse have been successfully rescued after 17 challenging days. Heartfelt gratitude to the brave rescue teams and rat-hole miners for their relentless efforts in the #Silkyara tunnel rescue.”

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah also took to X to laud the operation. “Heartfelt relief as 41 workers trapped in a tunnel in Uttarakhand since November 12 have been successfully rescued today,” he wrote.

YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, appreciated the efforts of the rescue team. He wrote on X, “My appreciation for the tireless commitment and unwavering efforts of the rescue team in the Uttarkashi Tunnel Operation! Their determination and bravery is an inspiration to all of us!”

(With PTI inputs)

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