Uttarkashi: As 41 workers remain trapped inside a collapsed tunnel in Uttarakhand for over a week, the Centre said it has finalised a five-option action plan to rescue them.
Transport and Highways Secretary Anurag Jain said five separate agencies will work on these alternatives which involve drilling operations from three sides. āThe government has taken a decision to work on all fronts to save the precious lives,ā he said.
The decision was taken in a high-level meeting where various options were examined based on expertsā advice.
ā Five options were decided and five different agencies were detailed to carry out these options. Five agencies namely Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), Sutluj Jal Vidyut Nigam (SJVNL), Rail Vikas Nigam Limited(RVNL), National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), and Tehri Hydro Development Corporation Limited (THDCL) have been assigned responsibilities,ā he said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi dialled Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami and took information about the ongoing relief and rescue operations to save the workers trapped in the Silkyara tunnel in Uttarkashi. PM Modi said that necessary rescue equipment and resources are being provided by the Central government. āThe workers will be evacuated safely with mutual coordination between central and state agencies. There is a need to maintain the morale of the stranded workersā,ā Uttarakhand CMO said.