Uttarkashi Tunnel Rescue Nears Completion After Brief Technical Halt

Uttarkashi: After a brief technical glitch late last night, the rescue operation to save 41 workers trapped inside the Uttarkashi tunnel resumed on Friday with renewed vigour. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed optimism, declaring the operation in its “final stage” and applauding the collaborative efforts of central and state government agencies.

A crucial official involved in the rescue revealed that two more 6-meter pipes needed to be inserted into the debris, with the second one holding the promise of a “breakthrough.” The American-auger machine, employed for drilling from the Silkyara tunnel side, encountered a technical setback late on Thursday when its mounting platform developed cracks. However, former PMO Advisor Bhaskar Khulbe assured India Today that the platform has been successfully repaired, paving the way for uninterrupted drilling operations.

Launched on Wednesday, the tunnel rescue mission is poised to conclude today, with a fervent hope of extracting the trapped workers safely.