Uttarakhand tunnel collapse: Hefty gear brought in to pull out Indian workers

• Hefty gear was brought in to pull out Indian workers amid the Uttarakhand tunnel collapse.
• Officials are providing essential supplies such as food, water, and oxygen.
• The exact duration of the rescue remains uncertain.

In the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand, efforts are underway to rescue nearly 40 workers trapped inside a collapsed Himalayan highway tunnel.

The 4.5-km tunnel, part of a national highway and a significant Hindu pilgrimage route collapsed on Sunday, prompting a continuous supply of food, water, and oxygen to the trapped workers.

Excavators have been clearing debris for two days to create a path to reach the workers, with the use of heavy machinery to fix a wide steel pipe for their extraction. The exact duration of the rescue remains uncertain, and a team of geologists is investigating the cause of the collapse.

Around 50 to 60 workers were initially inside the tunnel, with 10 to 20 managing to escape after their shift. The incident occurred in a region prone to landslides, earthquakes, and floods, with concerns raised about the impact of rapid construction on the mountains.

The tunnel project, part of the ambitious Char Dham pilgrimage route, began in 2018 and was initially slated for completion by July 2022, but delays have pushed the deadline to May 2024. The project has faced criticism for its impact on the environment, with reports highlighting inadequate assessments of the project’s impact on the region.

The Char Dham road, a key initiative by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government, aims to connect four crucial Hindu pilgrimage sites through an 889 km two-lane road costing $1.5 billion.

Local authorities have halted some work due to subsidence damage to hundreds of houses along the routes. The project’s environmental impact and safety measures have been subjects of concern, with the Supreme Court urging caution and emphasizing the need for a robust strategy to protect the environment.

Despite claims of environmentally friendly techniques, the project has faced challenges, leading the Uttarakhand Chief Minister to pledge a thorough examination of all tunnels under construction to ensure safety and preparedness for emergencies.

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