Efforts to Clear Silkyara Tunnel Collapse: Extraction of Auger Machine Components from Debris

Uttarkashi, Nov 27: The auger machine parts lodged in the debris of the Silkyara tunnel, where 41 laborers have been stranded for the past 15 days, were successfully extracted early Monday. The next phase involves initiating manual drilling to create an escape passage for the trapped workers. On Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Principal Secretary P K Mishra and Uttarakhand Chief Secretary S S Sandhu are scheduled to visit Silkyara to assess the ongoing rescue operation. The auger drill, which encountered difficulties on Friday evening, necessitated abandoning the 25-tonne machine. The removal of auger components from an 8.15-meter area on Sunday night was crucial to clear the path for manual drilling. The final steps involve pushing pipes, with approximately 12 meters remaining to reach completion.