4.5 km between Silkyara Bend - Bargat connecting Uttarakhand, Yamunotri as part of Chardam Highway project in Uttarakhand, a tunnel is being constructed in the distance.
On the 12th at 4 o'clock in the morning, a 60 meter long tunnel collapsed. 40 workers are trapped inside the tunnel with sand covering both sides. More than 200 experts from various departments are engaged in rescue work day and night. For the third day yesterday, rescue operations were carried out intensively.
Oxygen is being pumped through the tube to help the trapped workers breathe. Food items, drinking water etc. are distributed through another pipe. Officials have been talking to the workers from time to time through walkie-talkies.
Lateral drilling is underway in the sand pile that currently covers the tunnel. Giant iron pipes are being inserted into the side by drilling with earth auger machine. It is planned to rescue 40 workers safely through this steel pipeline.
The workers trapped in the mine yesterday wrote down their situation on a piece of paper and sent it through a tube to rescue officials. It said, “There is enough oxygen. There is enough light. There are batteries required to operate the walkie talkie. Drinking water is sufficient. Foodstuffs sent through the pipeline are not enough to satisfy the hunger of the workers. "Additional food supplies should be sent through the pipeline," it said.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Thami camped at the spot for the 2nd day yesterday and inspected the rescue operations. He informed that the 40 workers will be rescued soon.
The rescue operation is going on for the 4th day today. The families of the 40 workers are in fear even though it has been confirmed that they are out of danger.
The Union and State Governments should focus on taking necessary safety precautions so that such an incident does not happen again.
Let us pray to God that the 40 workers trapped in the mine will return to safety very soon!