Uttarkashi: The attempt to rescue the 41 trapped workers inside the collapsed Silkyara tunnel faced another setback on Thursday when the platform supporting the equipment began to develop cracks. As a result, drilling into the debris of the tunnel was once again put on pause.
Before drilling is restarted, rescue personnel will "stabilise" the platform that the 25-ton auger machine is situated on, according to officials.
Sections of steel pipes were being inserted through the rubble of the collapsed portion for the workers, trapped for 11 days, to be brought out.
Earlier on Thursday, international expert Arnold Dix had said that the auger machine drilling through the rubble of the collapsed Silkyara tunnel in Uttarakhand is experiencing “some difficulties” again.
The remark from the Australian had come just hours after drilling to evacuate 41 trapped workers resumed, following a six-hour setback Wednesday night as the American machine encountered an iron girdle.
It was cut by experts, working in a confined environment, before drilling resumed Thursday.
Earlier, drilling was put on hold from Friday afternoon to Tuesday night when the machine encountered a hurdle.
“Right now the auger machine is experiencing some difficulties, for the third time,” Dix said. “We have seen this happen before,” he reminded.
He did not elaborate on the nature of the “difficulties” this time, and it was not immediately clear that this will lead to any major delay in the rescue operation that has entered its 12th day.
However, he remained optimistic about the success of the rescue effort. He said the work was going on in a cautious manner, as it should.
Dix also warned against rushing as it might "complicate" things.
"Since the trapped workers on the other side of the rubble are safe and fit, not rushing has enormous value because if we rush in a situation like this we might create problems we cannot imagine," he said.
Dix, who heads an international consortium of experts in tunnelling, is in Silkyara to offer advice.
With PTI inputs