Uttarkashi tunnel collapse: Big relief for 41 trapped workers as engineers lay pipe for sending solid food inside

A six-inch-wide pipe has been laid through the rubble of a collapsed tunnel in Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi where 41 workers are trapped for eight days. The pipeline will help supply food items and facilitate better ventilation, an official said.

“A six-inch pipe has been laid at the tunnel through which different food items will be sent to trapped workers and it will also facilitate better ventilation there,” NHIDCL director Anshu Manish Khalkho said.

VIDEO | Uttarkashi tunnel collapse: “A six-inch pipe has been laid at the tunnel through which different food items will be sent to trapped workers and it will also facilitate better ventilation there,” says NHIDCL director Anshu Manish Khalkho. pic.twitter.com/0PCKjyFvrC

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) November 20, 2023

"They (trapped workers) can hear us through it. We will now provide them with food and medical supplies through that pipe," Khalkho said.

VIDEO | Uttarkashi tunnel collapse: "We have achieved our first breakthrough, for which we had been trying for the last nine days and was our first priority. A 6-inch pipe has been installed and they (trapped workers) can hear us through it. We will now provide them with food and… pic.twitter.com/gfww1hlLE8

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) November 20, 2023

The NHIDCL director further said, "DRDO has sent two robots weighing 20 kg and 50 kg respectively. All the 41 people are safe inside."

#WATCH | Uttarkashi Tunnel Rescue | NHIDCL director Anshu Manish Khalkho says, "A six-inch pipe has been laid at the tunnel. DRDO has sent 2 robots weighing 20 kg and 50 kg respectively. All the 41 people are safe inside..." pic.twitter.com/1M3DfEC1C0

— ANI (@ANI) November 20, 2023

"It's the first achievement. Now, we have to accomplish the second, which is the most vital one. When they receive food, they'll feel a bit better psychologically, and we will also try to establish communication with them," an official said after the installation of a 6-inch pipe in the tunnel.

VIDEO | Uttarkashi tunnel collapse: "It's the first achievement. Now, we have to accomplish the second, which is the most vital one. When they receive food, they'll feel a bit better psychologically, and we will also try to establish communication with them," says an official… pic.twitter.com/XM2buYaWsd

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) November 20, 2023

Earlier, a four-inch tube was being used to supply food like dry fruit and medicines and oxygen into the section of the tunnel beyond the rubble.

Visuals from Uttarkashi tunnel collapse site where operation is underway on the ninth day to rescue the 41 trapped workers. pic.twitter.com/XiO1pZwaSO

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) November 20, 2023

A portion of the under-construction tunnel in Silkyara village in Uttarkashi district, part of the ambitious Char Dham all-weather road project, collapsed due to a landslide on 12 November, trapping 41 workers.

Uttarkashi (Uttarakhand) Tunnel Rescue | Inside visuals of the tunnel as rescue operation continues.

(Pics Source: Working Staff) pic.twitter.com/gxJRbSEA0Q

— ANI (@ANI) November 20, 2023

With inputs from agencies