Col Alok Mathur, SM (veteran)
On 28 November, 2023 at about 8 PM, Vijay Hori, became the first of the 41 workers trapped in the under construction tunnel in Uttrakhand to come out after 17 days of confinement. He was followed by the remaining 40, all fatigued but otherwise hale and hearty. The final rescue was done by personnel of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) amid chants of “Bharat Mata ki Jai” and “Baba Boknath ki Jai.” The clearance of tunnel heralded the complete success of “Operation Zindagi,” the codename given to the rescue mission.
As the operation culminated successfully, the chief minister of Uttrakhand, Pushkar Singh Dhami, addressed the media at the site and conveyed that with the blessings of Baba Vsauki Boknath, a local deity, all workers stuck in the mishap have been rescued after successful completion of a complicated tunneling process.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi complimented the chief minister for organising the rescue mission. He also congratulated the rescue team and saluted the strong will power and resilience of the trapped workers who did not lose hope in their country under the most challenging circumstances. The prime minister had remained in constant touch with the rescue mission through PMO representative, Bhasker Kulbe. General V K Singh (retd), MOS Road ,Transport and Highways and Lt. General Ata Hasnain (retd) , member NDMA were also monitoring the operation. International tunnel expert, Arnold Dix from Geneva and Chris Cooper from Australia too had been incorporated. They provided valuable advice to the control team.
The NH 132 connects Dharasu (southern end) to Yamontari ( Northern end). There are intestine type road bends between Silkyara and Barkot for a distance of about 25 kms. This 4.8 kms tunnel has been planned between these two points to reduce the distance by 20 kms. It will serve as a bypass in the grand Char Dhams all weather four lane road project connecting four pilgrim sites (Gangotri, Jamnotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath).
The tunnel work project has been undertaken by Navayuga Engineering Construction Limited (NECL) under National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (NHIDCL). It was sanctioned in 2018 and is to be completed by 2024. The work was in progress from both ends simultaneously.
Till 11 November, approximately 2 kms were completed from Silkyara side and about 1.8 kms from Barkot side and only one km of tunneling was pending .The final shaping work was being carried out and debris were being removed. Suddenly at 0530 h on 12 November, a 60 metre portion of the Tunnel towards Silkyara side collapsed and trapped the 41 workers inside. It divided the southern part of the tunnel in two parts by a wall of debris/rock.
The project manager immediately carried out a head count and it emerged that 41 workers of the night shift were missing. There was total confusion and chaos. By evening, the State Government and Police were informed. The District Magistrate rushed to the spot and State Disaster Relief Force (SDRF) was mobilised. Ministry of Transport and Highway were informed. NDRF team with all equipment and medical teams also reached the location.
Rescue operation was planned and initiated under Bhasker Kulbe , former adviser to the PMO. He was assisted by eminent technical experts and geologists. Initial efforts to move the debris with cranes, JCBs and Dozers failed. The first priority was to establish communication and supply food and fresh oxygen to the trapped workers.
A sketch of the rescue mission : Operation Zindagi
Hence, in Phase 1, Auger Machines were airlifted in parts, assembled on site and used to drill 6 inch size narrow bores. On 16 November the first bore was completed, the first pipe line of 60 metres was pushed inside and fresh oxygen was pumped. The voices of workers could be heard. It was a big relief for the rescue party to know that the workers were alive. By 18 November two more pipes were also inserted. Sliding in of water bottles and dry fruits packets commenced successfully. On 21 November, an endoscopic flexible was inserted and CM Dhami could speak /see the faces of the trapped workers. They were assured full support and early link up to take them out. The workers also responded positively that they were safe and awaiting rescue. BSNL established a communication link so that they can talk to families.
In Phase 2, it was planned to go for 3 feet (900 mm) wide horizontal tunneling through the debris of metal, girders, concrete slabs, wire meshes and steel frames used in shaping the tunnel. It was to be done with the help of Auger Heavy Duty Drilling Machines. Horizontal drilling commenced but the progress was extremely slow. By 25 November only 30 meters could be achieved. Then, the drill blades got struck. The blades were replaced but again a steel girder blocked the way. It was cut by Laser/ Plasma cutters. Heavy parts were removed. On 26 November, the platform gave way. A second US made Auger Machine was airlifted to the site by IAF Hercules aircraft from New Delhi. The operation was resumed with new hope .The horizontal drilling reached 48 metres and suddenly , there was huge thundering sound and the blades got jammed. It could not be repaired by technicians. They had to be cut and removed and replaced. Precious two days were lost.
Phase 2-B was then initiated to go for alternative option of vertical drilling. It was a herculean task as the heavy drilling machine had to be transported on top of the tunnel. There was no track. Fortunately, a track was under construction to go on top. On 26 November, vertical drills were carried on top and work commenced on 27 November. Approximately 100 metres deep tunnel had to be created. By 28 November, 54 metres digging was completed .The work was in progress at a rapid pace .
On 27 November, Army Engineers also joined the mission. It was decided to clear debris of remaining 12 metres manually with the help of Rat hole miners. Simultaneously, broken parts of the Auger machines were being replaced. By 1800 h, the Rat miners completed the balance of digging and 60 metres tunneling was completed. A 900 mm steel pipe was finally pushed and forced inside the tunnel to get smooth passage . A pipe tunnel of 60 metres was finally laid by 1915h on 28 November.
Phase 3 commenced once the pipe was fully inserted, checked and cleared by the safety team. Then, 3 Teams of 4 men each of the NDRF crawled 60 metres through the narrow pipes and established link up. The initial plan was for all workers be rescued with the help of rolling stretchers. The trapped workers were to be placed one by one on stretchers and the home side was to gradually pull the trapped workers . The NDRF team would then crawl back safely. Actually, the trapped were so highly motivated that they preferred to crawl back themselves .
A fleet of ambulances with the medical teams was ready and waiting. Workers were given first aid and medically checked. Finally , all rescued workers were shifted to Chinyalisour District Hospital. A helipad was made operational at Chinyalisour to cater for emergency evacuation to AIMIS, Rishikesh. Chinook helicopters were kept stand-by.
A grand rescue mission was accomplished with blessing of the almighty and great combination of science, human willpower and technical expertise. The entire country celebrated the success as a second Deepawali when all our 41 “Sharmveers” came out safely.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi directed all power and means of the nation towards the rescue with complete disregard to the expenditure. Representatives of the PMO remained on site 24/7 to oversee and coordinate the operation and send constant feedback to the PM. The concerned ministers, Shri Nitin Gadkari and General VK Singh visited the site several times as did the chief minister of the state, Pushkar Singh Dhami. This involvement was very motivating for those working on ground in the rescue mission, Operation Zindagi. NDMA, Indian Army, IAF, ITBP, BRO, NDRF,SDRF and the State Government machinery need a special mention and appreciation as do the international experts and all other agencies involved. The President of India has congratulated the entire rescue team and wished sound health to all rescued workers.
Operation Zindagi, indeed, is great coordinated effort wherein the entire nation stood as one for the safety of its citizens regardless of their caste, creed or social status. The rescue was yet another example of the resurgent India.
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