While addressing a press conference outside the tunnel, CM Dhami said that the blades of the boring machine got stuck under the debris inside and plasma cutters were required to remove it. This was regarding the latest updates on the rescue operations at the Uttarkashi tunnel accident site.
The rescue of 41 laborers trapped for 13 days in the Silkyara tunnel in Uttarkashi has been delayed due to repeated issues with the auger machine. On Saturday, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) said operations may resume in the next 24-36 hours as machines are being placed on a platform above the tunnel. NDMA member Lt Gen (retd) Syed Ata Hasnain briefed the media that the focus is now on vertical drilling to bring out the workers.
After the auger machine encountered multiple problems and broke inside the rescue pipes while drilling through the rubble, rescuers are considering switching to other options like manual drilling at the Silkyara tunnel, per PTI reports. The heavy drill machine used to break through the nearly 60 meters of debris was damaged on Friday and needs to be fully removed, according to an official statement Saturday morning.
