In the latest development in the Uttarkashi tunnel collapse, a plasma cutter machine flew from Hyderabad to cut the auger machine that got stuck in the debris of the Silkyara tunnel to rescue 41 trapped workers on Sunday morning.Plasma cutter machine brought to Silkyara tunnelReportedly, the plasma cutter machine was brought to Uttarkashis Silkyara tunnel early this morning.National Disaster Management Authority Member, Lt General Syed Ata Hasnain (retired) on Saturday said that there has been no movement in the last 24 hours in the drilling work to rescue the 41 workers trapped in the Uttarkashi tunnel for 13 days.The NDMA member said that a portion of the American-Auger machine was broken, blocking the potential escape route.The current update is that (in) the last 24 hours, there hasnt been any movement within this bore tunnel that was being made for the rescue. Because...the Auger machine itself has had a bit of an accident. A portion of it (has actually) broken, and that broken portion has to be pulled out (of the escape pipe), Hasnain told ANI.CM Dhami on plasma cutterSpeaking to the ANI, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said, The plasma machine that has been brought from Hyderabad has started working since morning. Cutting is going on rapidly. 14 metres more remain (to be cut). The auger machine has to be cut and brought out. It seems that it will be completed soon, within a few more hours. After that manual drilling will begin.#WATCH | Uttarkashi tunnel rescue | Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami says, The plasma machine that has been brought from Hyderabad has started working since morning. Cutting is going on rapidly. 14 metres more remain (to be cut). The auger machine has to be cut and brought… pic.twitter.com/vFb0lz20h7— ANI (@ANI) November 26, 2023Meanwhile, a protection umbrella is being laid inside the Silkyara tunnel, where the 41 workers have been trapped since November 12, to put up protection for the rescue team, the official said.BSNL to provide landlines to trapped workers To help the workers relieve their stress and anxiety, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has stepped in to provide them with a landline through which they can talk to their families.According to Kundan, a BSNL official, they are in the process of sending a small landline phone to the stranded workers through the pipe. Through this, they will be able to talk directly to their families, he said.He said BSNL has set up a small telephone exchange at the tunnel site and the phone will be connected through a line.#WATCH | Uttarkashi (Uttarakhand) tunnel rescue | Latest visuals outside the tunnel where operation is underway to rescue the 41 workers who got trapped here on 12th November.Preparation of protection umbrella is underway inside the tunnel where the people from the rescue team… pic.twitter.com/2eKPJGNuk4— ANI (@ANI) November 26, 2023Cricket bats to be sent for trapped workersA senior official involved in the rescue operation said some mobile phones have also been sent to the stranded workers so that they can play games.There is no mobile network nearby but we are also considering providing Wi-Fi connectivity. We are also considering providing a cricket bat and ball to the workers so that they can play cricket. You can spend your time playing because there is a lot of space inside the tunnel where the workers are trapped, so cricket can be played easily, the official said.
