Produced by: Tarun Mishra Designed by: Manoj Kumar
A portion of the Silkyara tunnel, situated in the Himalayan state of Uttarakhand, collapsed on November 12 at 05:00 local time, trapping workers 200 meters into the tunnel.
The trapped workers, safe but facing challenges, have been receiving essential supplies through pipes, with rescuers using walkie-talkies to communicate. However, the rescue teams are working 24x7 to safely rescue out all the men. Here are some of the equipment brought in by the authorities to create a safe passage for the trapped men.
After ten days of rescue efforts, a significant breakthrough occurred after an endoscopic flexi camera was successfully inserted into the collapsed section. This device, primarily used for minimally invasive medical procedures, enabled the first visual contact with the trapped workers.
Credit : ANI
The endoscopic camera, known for inspecting interior organs, joints, and cavities in the human body, has been repurposed for this rescue mission. Its flexible wire allows movement along the shape of the pipeline in the tunnel.
Describing the device, experts explain that modern endoscopic cameras utilise 'chip-on-tip' technology, capturing images through a miniature package at the device's end. LEDs attached to the tip illuminate the area, and visuals are projected on a medical-grade screen.
An American Auger's drilling machine, flown in from Delhi, has been assembled at the accident site. The equipment is employed for drilling through the debris of the collapsed section of the tunnel, inserting successive sections of mild steel pipes with diameters of 800 mm and 900 mm. Once this process is complete, the trapped workers on the opposite side of the rubble can safely crawl out. NHIDCL Director Anshu Manish Khalkho during an interview with PTI said that with the ability to penetrate four to five meters of rubble per hour, they anticipate it can excavate a distance of 50 meters through the debris within a 10-hour timeframe.
To enhance rescue operations, the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation has deployed robots sent by the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO). These robots, weighing 20 kg and 50 kg, are expected to assist in challenging terrains. However, Anshu Manish Khalho said that the robots move on the ground and the land near the accident site is like sand. They are not sure if the robots would be able to move inside the tunnel. The technology is being used to gather comprehensive information about the cavity's area within the tunnel, allowing for a detailed examination of the landslide-affected region inside the tunnel.
Tunnelling expert Professor Arnold Dix has also landed in India after the authorities requested him to assist in the rescue mission. Professor Dix has emphasised on the non-negotiable goal of rescuing the 41 trapped men and is planning the options with the onsite team.
As the rescue operation enters its seventh day, a combination of advanced technologies, including the endoscopic camera, robots, and heavy-duty drilling machines, reflects the multi-faceted approach employed to safely retrieve the trapped workers from the Uttarkashi tunnel collapse.