Hope Remains As Second Rescue Tunnel Begins In Uttarkashi; Trapped Workers Fed Vegetable Pulao

Rescue efforts to reach 41 workers trapped in the Silkyara tunnel collapse in Uttarakhand's Uttarkashi have reached a critical juncture as operations enter their eleventh day. Drilling work, which had been on hold since November 17, resumed late on Tuesday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Uttarakhand's Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, inquiring about the ongoing rescue progress. The chief minister later shared updates with PM Modi on the recent 24-hour advancements.

As attempts persist to reach the trapped workers, sustaining them has become a priority, with efforts to provide hot meals underway. Recent breakthroughs include Tuesday evening's provision of pulao and matar paneer to the workers and the identification of a location for vertical drilling on Wednesday morning. The Border Roads Organisation's efforts in road construction near the tunnel site have facilitated the movement of a previously stuck machine.

11th Day of the Uttarkashi Tunnel Rescue Work:

• Since the tunnel collapse on October 12, 41 workers have remained trapped, while rescuers continue their efforts to reach them.
• Using radio and pipes, family members communicated with the trapped workers. Recent developments involved providing them with freshly cooked, hot meals.
• Anshu Manish Khulko, Director of the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation, reported the identification of a site for vertical drilling. Road construction, spanning over 350 meters, near the tunnel's hilltop is nearly finished. BRO's ongoing road construction from Silkyara and Barkot sides is also progressing.
• A significant moment arrived with the capturing of images of the trapped workers using an endoscopic flexi camera inserted through the pipeline, revealing their good condition. Modern drilling machinery from various parts of the country has been deployed to aid in the diverse drilling operations required for the rescue mission.