Entrance to the Silkyara Tunnel where rescue operations take place
The drilling machine used to bore through the rubble of the Silkyara tunnel to rescue 41 trapped workers has broken down, international tunnel expert Arnold Dix said on Saturday.
“Drilling has been completed… the drill bit has been broken and destroyed,” he told reporters in Silkyara.
The earth drilling machine was repeatedly confronted with obstacles in the rubble in recent days.
When asked about other options such as vertical or manual drilling, he said all options are being explored.
“Every door we open has its pros and cons. What we must ensure is the safety of both the rescuers and those trapped,” he said.
The multi-agency rescue operation began on November 12 when a section of the under-construction tunnel on Char Dham route in Uttarakhand collapsed following a landslide, trapping the 41 workers inside.
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First print: November 25, 2023 | 1:16 PM IST