What is Operation Zindagi? Know All Findings on Uttarakhand Tunnel Collapse
Operation Zindagi is a massive rescue operation launched by the state government to save 41 workers trapped for 17 days now in the Silkyara Bend - Barkot tunnel collapse in Uttarakhand, India. Read to know more details.
On November 12, 2023, a tragic incident unfolded in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand, India, as a portion of the Silkyara Bend - Barkot tunnel, under construction, collapsed, trapping 41 workers inside. The collapse occurred at around 5:30 AM IST, sending shockwaves through the nation and igniting a massive rescue operation called ‘Operation Zindagi’. The workers have been trapped under the collapsed tunnel for 17 days now. Meanwhile, the Uttarakhand government has also constituted a six-member expert committee to investigate the cause of the tunnel collapse.
#WATCH | Uttarkashi (Uttarakhand) tunnel rescue | Visuals from the Silkyara tunnel where the operation to rescue 41 workers is ongoing.
— ANI (@ANI) November 28, 2023
Manual drilling is going on inside the rescue tunnel and auger machine is being used for pushing the pipe. As per the last update, about 2… pic.twitter.com/26hw32fChI
The Silkyara Bend-Barkot tunnel, a crucial component of the Char Dham all-weather road project, was being constructed by Navayuga Engineering Construction Limited (NECL). This tunnel, located at the Yamunotri end of National Highway 134, aimed to provide a shorter and more accessible route to one of Hinduism's revered pilgrimage sites. With a planned length of 4.5 kilometres, the tunnel was expected to reduce travel time significantly, enhancing connectivity and pilgrimage experiences.
What is Operation Zindagi?
Image: ANI
Operation Zindagi is a massive rescue operation launched by the state government to save 41 workers trapped for 17 days now in the Silkyara Bend - Barkot tunnel collapse in Uttarakhand, India. The operation has deployed two tunnel-boring machines.
Three lifelines were drilled during the operation to sustain the trapped workers amidst the Uttarakhand tunnel collapse: an oxygen pipe, a dry food pipe, and a wider pipe for hot meals and camera insertion.
#WATCH | Uttarkashi (Uttarakhand) tunnel rescue | SJVN begins vertical drilling work on the top of the tunnel. As a second option, vertical drilling work was started from the hill above the tunnel: SJVN pic.twitter.com/szv5xxxQSn
— ANI (@ANI) November 26, 2023
The 6-inch (15 cm)-wide pipe, the most versatile of the three, delivered hot meals, offering a comforting dose of nourishment amidst challenging circumstances. Additionally, this pipe enabled the insertion of an endoscopic camera, allowing rescuers to monitor the workers' condition and establish visual communication.
On November 25, 2023, the rescue operations faced a setback after the auger machine broke. As per reports, the rescue team had drilled through the 60-metre stretch of the rubble of the collapsed tunnel. On November 27, 2023, six rat-hole miners from Delhi and Madhya Pradesh were called in to work manually to dig through the debris.
Uttarakhand tunnel rescue operation is being carried out by the NDRF, SDRF, Indian Army, and other state and central agencies. IAS officer Neeraj Khairwal has been tasked as the Nodal officer of the Silkyara tunnel collapse. Chris Cooper, a micro-tunneling expert has also arrived. Syed Ata Hasnain, retired Lieutenant General of the Indian Army and member of the NDMA team is overseeing the rescue operations of the National Disaster Management Authority. Arnold Dix, a scientific researcher and underground tunnelling expert is also present at the scene.
Also read: List of Cave Rescue Operations and Organizations in the World
Roopashree Sharma is an experienced broadcast journalist with over 7 years of experience, specialising in beats including geopolitics, defence, and general awareness. She has worked in the roles of correspondent and producer for leading media houses, including Zee, WION, and Economic Times. Currently serving as Deputy Manager – Editorial at Jagran New Media, she produces explainer articles and videos for the General Knowledge (GK) section of the Jagran Josh (English) portal. For inquiries, contact her at roopashree.sharma@jagrannewmedia.com.
