Drilling operations at the Uttarakhand tunnel, where 41 labourers are trapped, faced another setback on Friday evening after the auger machine hit a metallic object, marking the second such interruption within two days.
The initial incident occurred on Thursday when the machine's blades struck a pipe, leading to a temporary halt in drilling. Despite a 24-hour pause, the machine was stopped again after encountering another obstacle.
During a press briefing earlier on Friday, senior officials shared that approximately 10-12 metres of drilling remained to reach the trapped workers. Ground penetrating radar indicated a likelihood of no significant metal obstructions for the upcoming five metres.
While this information wasn't confirmed with complete certainty, Uttarakhand Secretary Neeraj Khairwal, overseeing the rescue operation, noted that the experts anticipated no continuous metal objects like girders, pipes, or metal plates in the next 5.4 metres. He highlighted that although other hurdles were identified, this development was positive.
With the drill currently inactive, attempts are being made to manually advance towards the trapped workers. However, it appears unlikely that the rescue will progress during the night on Friday.
An official reported that due to complications faced by the auger machine, it was being dismantled. Concurrently, efforts were underway to approach the trapped labourers manually, analysing the debris to navigate through the situation.
Officials reiterated that despite being trapped for 13 days, the workers remain mentally stable and physically fit. They have been in touch with their families and display resilience, expressing their determination to emerge from the situation on their own.
A labourer experienced in such conditions has been helping uplift the spirits of his colleagues. Additionally, the workers are provided with essentials like cut fruits, hot chapatis, lentils, and vegetables, delivered through pipes in bottles.
The tunnel under construction in Uttarkashi forms part of the ambitious Char Dham project, aimed at improving connectivity to Hindu pilgrimage sites. The labourers became trapped when a section of the tunnel collapsed on November 12.