All trapped workers safe, says CM Dhami on Uttarkashi tunnel collapse

The NDRF teams say they have been able to establish communication with the trapped workers and all of them are in a safe position

After inspecting the Yamunotri National Highway site where a section of the under-construction tunnel near Silkyara had collapsed, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said that the experts are working on multiple plans to evacuate the 40 trapped workers.

"The under-construction tunnel work in Silkyara was approximately four and a half kilometres long. Construction work was completed on 4 kilometres. Suddenly after this accident, 40 workers were trapped inside. Rescue operations are being carried out continuously. We are sending the Hume pipe from Dehradun and Haridwar and we have to make a path of more than 60 meters. Everything is fine inside, the temperature is also normal. The experts who have come to the site are working on Plan A, Plan B, Plan C" CM Pushkar Dhami said in a press conference in Dehradun.

He also said that the evacuation will take time as more work is being done manually.

"Communication has been established with them. Food, water and oxygen is being supplied inside. I have gone there and I want to assure the families of the workers trapped there that we will evacuate them soon. It will take time because work has to be done manually, and debris is falling down due to the use of machinery," he added.

Rescuers say the teams still have to clear about 35 metres of debris more to reach the location of the 40 trapped workers.

Anshu Manish Khalko, Director, NHIDCL (National Highway and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited) said "The situation is better now. The workers are safe. We are providing food and water. There are nearly 40 people inside. We are trying our best."

On November 12, a part of the tunnel broke about 200 meters ahead of the starting point on the Silkyara side of the tunnel built to connect Silkyara and Dandalgaon in Uttarkashi district.