Prime Minister Narendra Modi took information from Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami over phone about the workers trapped in the tunnel near Silkyara, Uttarkashi. Giving detailed information about the relief and rescue operations, the Chief Minister said that all the state and central agencies are engaged in relief and rescue operations with mutual coordination and promptness. The Chief Minister said that he himself went to the spot and did a local inspection and is constantly monitoring the rescue operations. Arrangements have been made to send large diameter hume pipes from Haridwar and Dehradun for rescue operations.
The Chief Minister said that all the workers trapped inside the tunnel are safe and every effort is being made to get them out soon. Till now the Prime Minister has taken information about the situation from the Chief Minister twice. Union Home Minister and Railway Minister have also talked to CM Dhami. Central agencies and experts are present at the spot.
At the same time, officials assured that all the 40 workers trapped in the tunnel are safe and food and water are being sent to them, but said that the rescue operation may take two more days. A part of the tunnel under construction between Silkyara and Dandalgaon on Brahmakhal-Yamunotri National Highway collapsed early on Sunday. Officials say that after the start of the rescue operation, oxygen is being supplied to the trapped workers through pipes. Contact was established after midnight, after which they could get only drinking water and light food.
‘Laborers can be saved by Tuesday night or Wednesday’
Disaster Management Secretary Ranjit Kumar Sinha says that the trapped laborers can be rescued by Tuesday night or Wednesday. Circle officer Prashant Kumar said that the first communication with the workers was established through wireless on Sunday midnight. NHIDCL Director Anshu Manish Khalkho said that the rescue team has contacted the workers several times through pipes to supply food to them. Rescue workers worked throughout the night trying to prepare an escape route for the workers and have also sent them food and dry fruits.
