Spotlight

Tunnel Collapse in Uttarakhand: Heroic Efforts to Save Trapped Laborers

By Staff Writer
   
In the rugged terrain of Uttarakhand, a collaborative multi-agency endeavor is currently underway to extricate 40 laborers ensnared within a subterranean passage. This dire situation unfolded on the Brahmakhal-Yamunotri National Highway in Uttarkashi district, where an under-construction tunnel suffered a partial collapse at approximately 5 o'clock in the morning yesterday. The resultant calamity ensnared four-score laborers within its unforgiving grasp.

The meticulous orchestration of the rescue mission is the collective responsibility of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Relief Force (SDRF), and the vigilant police authorities.

A senior official, during an interaction with NDTV, affirmed the safety and well-being of all 40 laborers. The trapped souls find solace in sustenance and life-sustaining oxygen delivered through a complex network of water conduits. "Every individual is secure; we maintain unwavering communication with the entrapped workforce," assured Prashant Kumar, Circle Officer of Uttarkashi.

Mr. Kumar also disclosed the establishment of a channel of communication with the captive laborers, through which provisions of water and nourishment have been promptly dispatched.

The task of unveiling a viable escape route for the beleaguered laborers is a demanding undertaking. As of now, a substantial expanse of 20 meters of encumbering debris has been laboriously excavated, though a daunting 35-meter stretch remains to be traversed. "Our team diligently clears the wreckage employing the formidable power of excavators and other heavy-duty machinery," Mr. Kumar elucidated.

Visual documentation of the catastrophe paints a vivid picture of immense conglomerates of concrete obstructing the tunnel's aperture. The shattered roof exposes a ghastly tangle of contorted metal bars that dangle perilously amidst the rubble.

The tunnel's intended purpose is to establish a crucial connection between Silkyara and Dandalgaon in Uttarakhand's Uttarkashi. This ambitious construction project, integral to the Char Dham Road Project, aspires to curtail the journey from Uttarkashi to the hallowed Yamunotri Dham by an impressive margin of 26 kilometers.

The individuals ensnared within the bowels of the tunnel hail from diverse regions, including Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Odisha, Uttarakhand, and Himachal Pradesh, as affirmed by the authorities.

In response to the dire circumstances, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami embarked on a visit to the site, where he meticulously inspected the ongoing operations to liberate the entrapped laborers. "The dedicated presence of the NDRF and SDRF at the scene reassures us all. We beseech the divine for the unharmed return of all involved, with hopes held high for their prompt rescue," expressed Mr. Dhami, his voice resonating with deep concern and optimism.


Comments