Editor's Pick | Workers in Uttarkashi tunnel closer to freedom

In a breakthrough, the 41 workers stuck in a collapsed tunnel at Silkyara in Uttarakhand are likely to see sunlight on Thursday, for the first time since they were trapped on November 12, say rescue agencies working in the area. By 5 p.m. on Wednesday, agencies had managed to drill through 45 metres of debris to reach the workers trapped in a section between 53 metres and 59 metres. However, the rescue work, which picked up pace over the past 36 hours, was halted for a brief period late in the evening when the auger machine used to bore through debris struck an obstacle, reportedly a giant rock. The rescue teams are also working on a Plan B. Apart from horizontal drilling through the debris, vertical drilling is being done simultaneously at the side by SJVNL, according to Mahmood Ahmed, managing director of NHIDCL. He added that the THDCL has also initiated the construction of a rescue tunnel from the Barkot end, with four blasts already completed, resulting in a 9.1-metre drift. Neeraj Khairwal, Secretary, Uttarakhand government, said that an audio communication set-up was prepared with the help of the NDRF and SDRF, in which wire, microphone and speaker were used to speak to the trapped workers. The workers trapped were first made to talk to the doctor one by one who enquired about their health. He said that essential medicines and basic materials such as towels, brushes and clothes were sent to the people trapped inside. “Keeping in mind the mental health of the workers, they are also being made to talk to a psychiatrist. All the workers trapped inside are safe,” he added. On November 12, the under-construction tunnel from Silkyara to Barkot collapsed due to debris falling on a 60-metre stretch on the Silkyara side. Immediate mobilisation of resources by the State and Central Governments ensued to rescue the 41 trapped labourers. The area of entrapment, measuring 8.5 metres in height and 2 kilometres in length, is the built-up portion of the tunnel, offering safety to the labourers with available electricity and water supply. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has reached Uttarkashi, aiming to meet the workers as soon as they come out The Hindu’s Editorials Glimmer of hope: On the Israel-Hamas deal Unheeded advice: On the conduct of Governors The Hindu’s Daily News Quiz How do we better know the phenomenon aurora borealis? Solar eclipse Northern Lights High tide Lunar eclipse To know the answer and to play the full quiz, click here. [logo] Editor's Pick 23 November 2023 [The Hindu logo] In the Editor's Pick newsletter, The Hindu explains why a story was important enough to be carried on the front page of today's edition of our newspaper. [[Arrow]Open in browser]( [[Mail icon]More newsletters]( Workers in Uttarkashi tunnel closer to freedom In a breakthrough, the 41 workers stuck in a collapsed tunnel at [Silkyara in Uttarakhand]( are likely to see sunlight on Thursday, for the first time since they were trapped on November 12, say rescue agencies working in the area. By 5 p.m. on Wednesday, agencies had managed to drill through 45 metres of debris to reach the workers trapped in a section between 53 metres and 59 metres. However, the rescue work, which picked up pace over the past 36 hours, was halted for a brief period late in the evening when the auger machine used to bore through debris struck an obstacle, reportedly a giant rock. The rescue teams are also working on a Plan B. Apart from horizontal drilling through the debris, vertical drilling is being done simultaneously at the side by SJVNL, according to Mahmood Ahmed, managing director of NHIDCL. He added that the THDCL has also initiated the construction of a [rescue tunnel]( from the Barkot end, with four blasts already completed, resulting in a 9.1-metre drift. Neeraj Khairwal, Secretary, Uttarakhand government, said that an audio communication set-up was prepared with the help of the NDRF and SDRF, in which wire, microphone and speaker were used to speak to the trapped workers. The workers trapped were first made to talk to the doctor one by one who enquired about their health. He said that essential medicines and basic materials such as towels, brushes and clothes were sent to the people trapped inside. “Keeping in mind the mental health of the workers, they are also being made to talk to a psychiatrist. All the workers trapped inside are safe,” he added. On November 12, the under-construction tunnel from Silkyara to Barkot collapsed due to debris falling on a 60-metre stretch on the Silkyara side. Immediate mobilisation of resources by the State and Central Governments ensued to rescue the [41 trapped labourers](. The area of entrapment, measuring 8.5 metres in height and 2 kilometres in length, is the built-up portion of the tunnel, offering safety to the labourers with available electricity and water supply. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has reached Uttarkashi, aiming to meet the workers as soon as they come out The Hindu’s Editorials [Arrow][Glimmer of hope: On the Israel-Hamas deal]( [Arrow][Unheeded advice: On the conduct of Governors]( The Hindu’s Daily News Quiz How do we better know the phenomenon aurora borealis? - Solar eclipse - Northern Lights - High tide - Lunar eclipse To know the answer and to play the full quiz, [click here.]( [Sign up for free]( Today’s Best Reads [[Punjab farmers’ protests continue for second day] Punjab farmers’ protests continue for second day]( [[Bring back old pension scheme, workers unhappy: BMS to Finance Minister] Bring back old pension scheme, workers unhappy: BMS to Finance Minister]( [[Despite laws, Indian fishermen face no consequence for poaching, say Sri Lankan fishermen] Despite laws, Indian fishermen face no consequence for poaching, say Sri Lankan fishermen]( [[What has the U.K. Supreme Court ruled with respect to the Rwanda deal? | Explained] What has the U.K. Supreme Court ruled with respect to the Rwanda deal? | Explained]( Copyright @ 2023, THG PUBLISHING PVT LTD. 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