MEMBER of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Lieutenant General (Rtd) Syed Ata Hasnain on Wednesday said that the rescue operation which is underway at Uttarkashi’s Silkyara tunnel where 41 workers remain trapped is like a “war” and no such specific timelines should be assumed by anyone. The NDMA member said that this operation is just like a war situation where one keeps guessing about enemy moves. He further mentioned that in this operation ‘Himalayan geology’ is the enemy. Addressing a press briefing in New Delhi, Syed Ata Hasnain said, “Many experts are giving opinions that they might be rescued today evening, tomorrow morning but remember these operations are like a war. These operations should not be given a timeline. In wars, we don’t know how will the enemy react. Here Himalayan geology is our enemy. From which angles the tunnel has collapsed we don’t know.” Stating that such timelines put pressure on the rescue workforce, Hasnain said, “This is challenging work. To keep expecting that rescue will be done in the next two hours puts pressure on the workforce. This is wrong.

 

In this situation, both the trapped workers and the rescue team are at risk. We have to cater for the safety of both.” He further stated that NDRF is rehearsing at the spot of the rescue operations. “NDRF DG is himself present there. NDRF is rehearsing the evacuation process for the workers. Government is also providing support in every way possible,” he said. However, later to a reporter’s question, the NDMA member gave an estimation that the rescue operation can be completed in the next 4 to 5 hours and could be stretched till tomorrow afternoon depending on the situation in the tunnel. Earlier on Thursday, Inspector-General (IG) of Police Garhwal Range KS Nagnyal said on Thursday that the stipulated time of the rescue cannot be decided as it is machinery work. “The attempt at the rescue is in progress and rescue is expected to be carried out very soon.

 

It is machinery work so a stipulated time can’t be decided. The rescue work will go on at night as well,” IG said. A total of 41 ambulances have been arranged at the spot of Uttarkashi’s Silkyara tunnel where 41 workers remain trapped. Mukesh Nautiyal, the Project Manager of Operation 108 Ambulance initiative said that out of 41 ambulances, 31 ambulances are of ‘108’ while the other 10 have been provided by the administration. On November 12 a portion of the under-construction tunnel from Silkyara to Barkot collapsed and debris falling in the 60-metre stretch on the Silkyara side of the tunnel trapped 41 labourers inside. The workers are trapped in a 2 km-built portion, which is complete including concrete work that provides safety to the workers.