Report on Rescue Operation being carried out for collapsed Silkyara-Barkot Tunnel
Under the prestigious Chardham Project of MORTH to join the Gangotri & Yamunotri axis under the Radi pass area the Silkyara Tunnel for a length of 4531 meter is under construction by NHIDCL through M/s Navayuga Engineering Company Ltd. for a cost of Rs. 853.79 crore.
The construction of tunnel shall immensely benefit the pilgrims as it will provide an all-weather connectivity, shorten the distance by 26 Km and 01 Hrs of travel time through steep, mountain and narrow roads which are prone to accident and landslides. The existing road if was widen would have completely destroyed the rich flora and fauna of the Radi top mountains with thick cover of Rhododendron vegetation.
Incident Report:-
1. On dated 10.11.2023 reprofiling work was started from Ch 260m to Ch 265m at LHS & for the same patch primary lining works for the same was completed.
2. On dated 12.11.2023 breaking work was started from Ch 260m to Ch 263m for the next patch of work & around 5:30 AM early morning collapse occurred from Ch 205m to 260 meter where re-profiling is RHS was completed.
3. 40 workers based on contractor tunnel entry register trapped inside the tunnel.
Rescue Activity:
• Excavation with shotcreting for 40 meter of collapse tunnel is under progress cavity formed 10 meter above the crown at both left and right side, Chimney formation started along the tunnel. Additional shotcrete machine shifted from RVNL Package-III to work site.
⚫ Geotechnical Expert from Authority Engineer, Team Leader, Geological Expert from RVNL, Director (A&F), Director (T) and Executive Director (P) of NHIDCL and CGM, NHAI visited the collapse site periodically. Over the night and subsequently all the option were explored and following two options are choosen:-
(i) Removal of loose muck continued along with shotcreting.
(ii) To push a 900 mm Dia MS Steel Pipe with the help of Hydraulic Jack to evacuate the work force trapped inside.
⚫ 21 meter of loose debris removed. However, minor fall of debris reduce the excavation to the tune of 14 meters.
⚫ The muck removal is continued followed by shotcreting.
• Close coordination being carried out. Executive Director (P) spoke to Chief Secretary and they are facilitating with 900 mm Dia MS Steel Pipe from Haridwar, which is likely to reach at site by today evening.
• Expert Team from Irrigation Department reaching the project site to assist in successful pushing of steel pipe.
⚫ Water, food, Oxygen, Electricity all are available with the work force trapped inside the tunnel, small foodp ackets has also been pumped inside the tunnel through one pipe with compressed air. They informed the receipt of food items. All the stranded workers are safe as communicated by them.
⚫ Hon’ble Chief Minister of Uttarakhand also visited the Project site today at 11:00 AM. He further assured all the assistance from complete State machineries for complete rescue operation. He visited the collapse site in the tunnel also. Entire rescue operation has been appraised to Hon’ble Chief Minister at site.
Director (A&F), Director (T), Executive Director (P) of NHIDCL and Experts from RVNL, RITES, Authority’s
Engineer M/s Navayuga Engineering Company Ltd. is present at site for close monitoring of rescue operation.
