Uttarakhand Tunnel Tragedy: Rescue Efforts Near Success as Workers Await Liberation from Silkyara Tunnel

In New Delhi, there is a hopeful anticipation of the imminent rescue of 41 workers who have been trapped in a tunnel in Uttarakhand for 17 days. The manual drilling team, overcoming various challenges in the difficult terrain, is now just meters away from reaching the trapped workers. The nation is anxiously awaiting their rescue, and here's a recap of how the workers found themselves in this situation.

The tunnel in question, a 4.5 km stretch known as the Silkyara tunnel, is a crucial component of the Char Dham project initiated by the government. This ambitious project aims to establish all-weather connectivity between four prominent Hindu shrines in Uttarakhand: Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri. The Silkyara tunnel, part of the route connecting Silkyara and Dandalgaon in the Uttarkashi district, is a double-lane tunnel and one of the longest under the Char Dham project. Once completed, it is expected to reduce travel time by an hour. The construction of the tunnel is entrusted to the Hyderabad-based Navayuga Engineering Company Limited.

The incident occurred on November 12 when a section of the tunnel, between 205 and 260 meters from the Silkyara side, collapsed. Workers who were beyond the 260-meter mark found themselves trapped, their exit blocked. Fortunately, the section where they are stuck has access to power and water supply. While official investigations are underway to determine the cause of the collapse, various theories have emerged. Some attribute it to a landslide in the fragile Himalayan region, emphasizing the environmental repercussions of hasty development in the area.

There are also claims that the collapse may have been triggered by a blast conducted by the construction teams involved in building the tunnel. Geologist and environmental science professor SP Sati suggest that a major blast might be the cause, although the construction agency denies this. Notably, the construction plan did mention an escape tunnel, but it was never constructed. International expert Arnold Dix, who visited the site, acknowledged that escape tunnels are typically placed at the end since collapses are not expected. However, he noted that specific geological conditions may prompt the construction of escape tunnels during the project.

As the rescue operation nears its conclusion, the circumstances surrounding the incident raise questions about the construction practices in ecologically sensitive regions and the importance of safety measures in such projects.