Get a full descriptive explanation of the whole scenario of the Uttarkashi Tunnel Collapse with a detailed timeline of a rescue operation.
Uttarkashi Tunnel Collapse
12th November 2023, a date which is a nightmare for all the 41 workers falling under the trap of the disaster of the Uttarkashi Tunnel Collapse. This disaster was due to the collapse, done by a landslide of the Silkyara-Dandalgaon under-construction tunnel which is situated on the Brahmakal-Yamunotri highway in Uttarakhand, India. As a result of this landslide, 41 labourers were trapped inside the tunnel.
But with the help of Government agencies along with a continuous day and night effort, all the 41 workers who were trapped inside the Uttarkashi collapsed tunnel for the last 17 days in the Indian State of Uttarakhand, were finally rescued on 28th Nov 2023, Tuesday.
The Uttarkashi tunnel collapse is a disaster that will remind us of all the present dangers of working in construction, especially in mountainous regions. It also showcases the importance of following proper safety procedures and implementing proper safety measures in order to prevent accidents following a safe place to work.
The Silkyara Project
In February 2018, the Union cabinet approved the construction of a 4.531 km two-lane bi-directional tunnel named the Silkyara Bend-Barkot Tunnel. It is situated along NH-134 in Uttarakhand and this dream project is a part of the Chardham Mahamarg Pariyojana.
The project has an estimated construction period of four years along with a cost projection of Rs 1,119.69 crore. After facing a lot of delays the project is said to be completed by 14th May 2024.
What happened in the Uttarkashi Tunnel Collapse?
An under-construction tunnel in Uttarakhand collapsed on 12th November 2023 which led to the leaving of 41 workers completely trapped inside the tunnel. After the disaster, rescue operations were immediately launched to rescue the workers from the tunnel but despite the relentless efforts they had to face numerous challenges during the operation.
It was on November 12, 2023, at around 5.30 am a collapse occurred inside the Uttarkashi Tunnel during the reprofiling work and it trapped approximately 41 workers at a location 205-260 mtrs. from the portal.
According to the officials, the trapped area measures 8.5 mt. in height and spans an area of around 2 km. For the rescue work, multiple agencies like Uttarakhand administration, SDRF, NDRF, MORTH, NHIDCL, NHAI, and nBRO are actively participating in the ongoing rescue operation.
They are continuously providing fresh air, oxygen, drinking water, electricity and small packed food through pipes to maintain the mental strength of the trapped workers with good healthy conditions.
Main Rescue Agencies
Know the Main Rescue Agencies
- National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation (NHIDCL)
- Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC)
- Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam (SJVN)
- Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL)
- Tehri Hydro Development Corporation Limited (THDCL)
Rescue Plan for Uttarkashi Tunnel Collapse
Let’s have a quick look at what happened in the Uttarkashi Tunnel Collapse given below.
| DATE | ACTION PLAN |
| 12th Nov 2023 | Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami visited the incident spot and senior excavators were removing debris to make a path to reach the workers as soon as possible |
| 13th Nov 2023 | After a long discussion, excavators started drilling with the help of auger machinery to fix a wide steel pipe that would help pull out the trapped workers. A special team of geologists had arrived to find the cause of the accident. |
| 14th Nov 2023 | Continuous falling debris was hampering the rescue efforts but the trapped workers remained safe with food, water, and oxygen being supplied through a pipe. |
| 15th Nov 2023 | For a quick relief task, a new drilling machine was installed as the National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) was not able to drill with the first one. |
| 16th Nov 2023 | Till now rescuers drill through 24 metres of debris and 4 millimetres (mm) pipes are inserted into the tunnel. |
| 17th Nov 2023 | Our Honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a telephone conversation with the Chief Minister to review the progress of the rescue operation as of now. |
| 18th Nov 2023 | The trapped workers remained safe and they were in touch via radios reporting continuously about the pace of progress of the rescue. |
| 19th Nov 2023 | Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari reviewed the rescue operation and implemented a new plan of boring horizontally with the huge auger machine. |
| 20th Nov 2023 | The auger machine faced a hurdle causing a delay for the rescue plan |
| 21st Nov 2023 | As per plan, the rescue teams drilled 32 metres which must be cleared to push a pipe wide enough for the workers to crawl out. |
| 22nd Nov 2023 | Our Honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a telephone conversation with the Chief Minister to review the progress of the rescue operation as of now. |
| 23rd Nov 2023 | The first video of the 41 workers trapped inside the tunnel was released after a camera was sent into the tunnel through a new pipeline. They were told to practise yoga and meditation for anxiety and mental strength |
| 24th Nov 2023 | The drilling process was ongoing and ambulances along with medical support were kept on standby. |
| 25th Nov 2023 | The rescue teams were now drilling through the last 10 metres of debris manually for a safe rescue. |
| 26th Nov 2023 | In the last stage of the plan, the rescuers brought in rat miners to drill through a narrow pipe manually by hand which will help to pull out the trapped workers. |
| 27th Nov 2023 | The auger machine faced a hurdle causing a delay in the rescue plan |
| 28th Nov 2023 | After a long hard rescue plan, all 41 workers were rescued and were taken to hospital for treatment. |
Uttarkashi Tunnel Collapse- A Glorious Rescue Mission
“All workers trapped inside the Silkyara tunnel in Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi were finally evacuated by the rescue officials on Tuesday evening, 28th November” as confirmed by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari.
This news has finally given a lot of happiness and smiles to all the Indians who were praying day and night for their safe rescue. It is our honour and duty to give a great salute to all the Rescue Team Workers who won the battle after a long 17 days of hard struggle.
For the brave fight and confidence of 41 trapped workers for a long 17 days, CM Pushkar Singh Dhami and Union Minister VK Singh have announced to distribution of a cheque of Rs 1 lakh to each of them. It is one of the great examples of bravery winning over the disaster and coming out with a smile for their family and all of the Indians.