MoRTH mentioned that work on the development of a rescue tunnel of 480 metres from the tip by THDC has commenced and equipment for micro-tunneling by RVNL by horizontal drilling for the rescue of labourers is being transported from Nashik and Delhi. (Pic/ANI)
A significant breakthrough was achieved on Monday when National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) accomplished the drilling of one other six-inch diameter pipeline for the availability of meals, medicines, and different important gadgets
Continuing efforts to save the 41 employees caught within the under-construction tunnel that collapsed in Uttarakhand per week in the past, the authorities are trying to construct a vertical rescue tunnel, and the primary machine for this has already reached the location. A significant breakthrough was achieved on Monday when National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) accomplished the drilling of one other six-inch diameter pipeline for the availability of meals, medicines, and different important gadgets.
On November 12, a collapse occurred in an under-construction tunnel from Silkyara to Barkot due to muck falling in a 60-metre stretch on the Silkyara facet of the tunnel. After the incident, the authorities mobilised sources instantly for the rescue of the 41 trapped employees.
In an announcement, the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH) mentioned on Monday that horizontal boring by NHIDCL from the Silkyara finish for the rescue of employees by the Auger boring machine was scheduled to recommence within the night.
“The first machine of SJVNL (Sutlej Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited) for the construction of the vertical rescue tunnel has already reached the site and operations are being commenced post-completion of the access road by BRO. Movement of two other machines for the vertical tunnel construction started from Gujarat and Odisha through road,” the assertion reads.
The ministry additionally mentioned that work on the development of a rescue tunnel of 480 metres from the tip by THDC has commenced and equipment for micro-tunneling by RVNL by horizontal drilling for the rescue of labourers is being transported from Nashik and Delhi.
“Machinery for vertical boring is being mobilised by ONGC from USA, Mumbai and Ghaziabad. BRO has done a commendable work when approach road for vertical drilling of RVNL and SJVNL has been constructed within 48 hours. Further, now work is continuing for approach road for ONGC also,” says the assertion.
Food and electrical energy provide
The authorities are maintaining fixed communication and making all efforts to sustain the morale of the employees trapped within the 2-km-built tunnel portion. This 2-km portion of the tunnel is full, together with concrete work that gives security to the employees.
Electricity and water can be found on this portion of the tunnel and employees are supplied meals gadgets and medicines by a 4-inch compressor pipeline.
On Monday, a serious breakthrough was achieved when NHIDCL accomplished the drilling of one other 6-inch-diameter pipeline for the availability of meals, medicines, and different important gadgets. Further, RVNL is engaged on one other vertical pipeline for the availability of important gadgets.
“Various government agencies have been involved in the rescue operation and have been assigned specific tasks. These agencies are working tirelessly for the safe evacuation of the workers,” the ministry mentioned.
The undertaking
As a part of the Char Dham Mahamarg Pariyojana, the ministry has taken up the development of the 4.5-km-long two-lane bi-directional tunnel at Silkyara to be part of the Gangotri and Yamunotri axis underneath the Radi cross in Uttarakhand and sanctioned for a complete undertaking price of Rs 1,383 crore in March 2018.
The development of the tunnel will ease the journey for pilgrims as it is going to present all-weather connectivity and cut back a 25.6-km snow-affected size of NH-134 (Dharasu-Barkot-Yamunotri highway) to 4.5 km, ensuing within the discount of journey time to 5 minutes from 50 minutes at current.
“The work is delayed with present progress of work at 56% and likely to be completed by May 2024. At present heading in about 4,060 m – 90% length is completed and excavation work for 477 m length is going on along with other activities of benching of heading done portion,” the ministry mentioned.
Heading is finished up to 2,350 m from the Silkyara facet and up to 1,710 m from the Barkot facet. Navayuga Engineering Company Limited is endeavor the undertaking and the work commenced in July 2018 with meant completion by July 2022.
