Silkyara tunnel: Rescuers use hand-held drills to free 41 workers trapped for over 2 weeks
Rescuers have also started to create a vertical channel with a newly replaced drilling machine, officials said. They drilled horizontally for a week but the mountainous terrain proved too much for the machine, which broke down repeatedly before it was damaged irreparably on Friday, officials said. Key Points
Economic TimesUttarkashi tunnel rescue: Rat-hole miners on how manual drilling will be done
Amid the Silkyara tunnel rescue operation, rat-hole mining teams were inducted into the mission on Monday. The team of six sheds light on their modus operandi. Key Points
India TodayUttarkashi tunnel collapse: Manual excavation from today, rescuers say vertical drilling likely to finish by Nov 30
Rescue efforts continue for 41 workers trapped in the Silkyara-Barkot tunnel as rat miners are brought in for manual drilling. Vertical drilling work is also underway. Key Points
mintUttarakhand Silkyara Tunnel Rescue: Vertical drilling done up to 31 metres, says BRO’s ex-DG
A total of 86 metres has to be drilled vertically to prepare an escape passage for the 41 workers trapped for the last 15 days. Pipes of 1.2 metres in diameter have to be laid vertically through the top of the tunnel by this method adopted as a second option. Key Points
FirstpostUttarkashi op: Vertical drilling makes progress, 5 more rescue plans in works
Vertical drilling to create an escape passage for the trapped men in the Silkyara tunnel made rapid progress on Sunday. Meanwhile, officials said at least six strategies are being considered to free the workers. Key Points
India Today
Vertical drilling begins in Uttarkashi tunnel to rescue trapped workers. ‘Big risk,' say geologists
Vertical drilling expected to be completed in 2 days. Horizontal drilling by auger machine stopped after it broke down. Plasma machine from Hyderabad removing parts from rubble. Key Points
ThePrintUttarkashi tunnel rescue op LIVE Updates: Vertical drilling begins in Uttarkashi for back-up tunnel to rescue trapped men
Uttarkashi tunnel rescue operation LIVE Updates: The rescue operation to get out 41 workers trapped in an under-construction tunnel in Uttarakhand's Uttarkashi entered the 15th day as authorities race against time to take out the men. But this process will only start once the auger machine, whose blades were damaged when it hit a metal obstruction while drilling through the rubble. Meanwhile, a rescue team has started vertical drilling to create a back-up tunnel for the men to be evacuated. Follow indiatoday.in for live updates. Key Points
India TodayUttarkashi tunnel rescue: BRO personnel to quickly transport machines for vertical drilling to hill top
Officials are exploring the option of vertical drilling too as the heavy-duty auger machine that was used in the horizontal drilling through the mouth of the tunnel from the Silyara side hit an obstacle on Friday evening. A final decision on the vertical drilling option is likely to be taken by Sutlej Jal Vidyut Nigam (SJVN) and Oil and Natural Gas Corporation. Key Points
Economic TimesUttarkashi tunnel collapse: Rescuers consider manual drilling as auger machine encounters hurdles
Drilling work to rescue the trapped men was halted again Friday night, in yet another setback to the multi-agency effort. Auger machine apparently hit a metal object. Key Points
ThePrintNo progress since Thursday, drilling to resume shortly: NDMA on Silkyara tunnel rescue ops
By any means , the trapped workers will be rescued as all resources are being used, said NDMA member Lt Gen (retd) Syed Ata Hasnain while briefing media on rescue operations. There has been no progress in the movement of pipe through debris in the tunnel since Thursday, and about 15 metres of drilling is still left to reach the stranded workers, he added. Key Points
Economic Times
Uttarkashi tunnel collapse: Trapped men sent 1st batch of cooked food, vertical drill machines en route
Three augers from Odisha & Gujarat yet to reach tunnel site. Gadkari says if machines work, rescue could be facilitated within 2.5 days but others say it could take longer. Key Points
ThePrintUttarkashi tunnel collapse: New drill begins rescue work
The machine penetrated around 12 meters inside the debris on the second half of the day. The rescue team has undertaken both the exercise simultaneously - horizontal drilling as well as inserting steel pipes to expedite the process for making a passage for the safe evacuation of the 40 trapped labourers. By 4.30 pm, the team had successfully inserted a 9-meter pipe inside the debris. Key Points
Economic TimesChina is drilling another 10,000-meter hole, this one for gas
Sichuan, the southeastern province known for spicy food, spectacular mountain views and pandas, is also home to some of Chinas largest shale gas reserves. The nations state-owned oil giants have had only limited success tapping their potential, though, because of difficult terrain and complicated underground geology. Key Points
Economic TimesUttarkashi op: Vertical drilling begins, 'stress buster' games given to trapped men
On the 15th day of the Uttarkashi tunnel rescue operation, authorities were likely to begin manual drilling today after the damaged auger machine was taken out. Meanwhile, vertical drilling to create a back-up route has started. Key Points
India TodayVertical drilling to be considered as Uttarkashi tunnel rescue ops enter day 7
The rescue operation at the Uttarkashi tunnel has been at a standstill since Friday 4 pm. A special team is now looking at the possibility of vertical drilling from the upper part of the tunnel if the horizontal drilling is not successful. Key Points
India Today
Uttarkashi Tunnel Collapse: Vertical drilling underway as rescue bid enters third week - How long is it likely to take?
Rescuers have begun vertical drilling to reach the 41 workers trapped inside the Silkyara tunnel in Uttarakhand. The auger machine encountered obstacles and broke down during horizontal drilling, delaying the rescue efforts. Key Points
mintUttarkashi op to rescue 41 trapped men nears final stage, 20 ambulances on site
With 12 metres of drilling remaining to break through the rubble, ambulances lined up outside the Silkyara tunnel site in Uttarkashi. Rescue operations are nearing their final stage, officials stated. Key Points
India TodayUttarkashi tunnel rescue day 14: Operations stopped once again, manual drilling being considered
The rescue work was put on hold for several hours owing to a technical snag late on Thursday night. The work resumed on Friday evening. But again it stopped. Key Points
Business TodayONGC to drill well in Bihar
ONGC's exploration plans in Bihar and Ballia for oil and gas aim to impact the energy industry. Challenges in land acquisition persist, requiring support from local authorities for successful drilling operations. Key Points
Economic Times‘Trapped Uttarkashi workers could be evacuated in 3 hours’ — cautious hope as rescuers reach closer
12 rat-hole miners have been trying to clear a path to the trapped workers, cutting and removing the debris by hand in a hazardous procedure. Workers have been trapped for 17 days. Key Points
ThePrint
Uttarkashi tunnel collapse: Hope to rescue all trapped workers in two-and-a-half days, says govt official
The Indian government is aiming to rescue all 41 workers trapped in the Silkyara tunnel in Uttarkashi within two and a half days as horizontal drilling resumes. The government is working on five rescue options, with vertical drilling being the second best option in case horizontal drilling is halted due to obstructions. Key Points
Economic TimesSilkyara tunnel: We are working on six options simultaneously, says Nitin Gadkari
Gadkari, who was accompanied by Uttarakhand chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, said the rescue operation is challenging as the soil strata in the Himalayan region is not uniform. He said it is soft at some places and hard at other places which makes mechanical operation difficult. Key Points
Economic TimesUttarkashi tunnel collapse: Auger drill stuck in rubble, trapped workers likely to remain stuck for weeks | 10 updates
Workers trapped in the Silkyara tunnel in Uttarkashi since November 12. A rescue operation has started with the help of international experts and Indian teams. Meanwhile, the Auger machine malfunction briefly halted the rescue. Key Points
mintUttarkashi tunnel collapse: drilling halted due to technical glitch
The trouble for the agencies involved in the rescue operation began in the afternoon on Wednesday after the start of drilling exercise. The machine encountered a metallic object (lattice girder rib) in the front of the pipe, and it created problems in further pushing of the pipe. Then, the cutting of metallic objects using gas cutters was completed. Key Points
Economic TimesUttarkashi tunnel rescue: Manual drilling underway, 42 mts of vertical boring complete
Food and medicines were being provided to the 41 workers trapped inside the Uttarkashi tunnel, a portion of which caved in on November 12. According to officials, all workers trapped inside the tunnel were stable and safe. Key Points
India Today
Not involved in construction of Uttrakhand tunnel, says Adani group
Gautam Adani's Adani Group through a statement on Monday denied any involvement in the construction of the Silkyara tunnel in Uttarakhand, where 41 construction workers have been trapped since it collapsed over two weeks ago. The tunnel, built by Navayuga Engineering Company Limited, is part of the Char Dham all-weather accessibility project. Key Points
Economic TimesUttarkashi tunnel collapse: drilling work halted, another machine from Indore to reach today
The drilling work to reach 40 trapped workers inside the Silkyara tunnel has been halted after rescuers bored 25 meters into the rubble. The workers have been trapped for six days, counting Saturday, after a portion of the tunnel caved in on November 12. An additional heavy-duty drilling machine is expected to reach the tunnel site later on Saturday. Key Points
Economic TimesUttarkashi tunnel breakthrough, rescue of 41 men trapped since 17 days in sight
A team of the NDRF, some ambulances and stretchers were taken inside the tunnel in Uttarkashi, ending the ordeal of 41 workers trapped inside for 16 days. A portion of the tunnel had caved in on November 12. Key Points
India TodayUttarkashi tunnel collapse: Rescue ops put on hold again due to technical snag, 41 workers 'just metres away'
The rescue operations to evacuate 41 workers trapped in Uttarakhand's Silkyara tunnel in Uttarkashi district has entered day 13 on Friday. Till now, rescuers have drilled up to 46.8 meters in the Silkyara tunnel Key Points
Business TodayUttarkashi tunnel collapse: Rescuers draw closer to trapped workers as ambulances remain on standby. Latest updates
Rescue efforts continue as more than 40 people remain trapped in the collapsed Silkyara tunnel in Uttar Pradesh. Engineers are working on inserting a steel pipe to create an escape passage. Key Points
mint
Uttarkashi tunnel rescue LIVE: drilling work put on hold due to obstruction, could further delay rescue op
As many as 41 workers have been trapped in a partially collapsed under-construction tunnel in Uttarakhand's Uttarkashi since November 12. The rescue operation, which entered its final stage on Wednesday, is expected to be over by today. Ambulances and doctors have been deployed at the site to attend the workers as soon as they get out. Key Points
India TodaySilkyara tunnel: Hurdles in the way delay rescue operation
Former advisor to the PMO, Bhaskar Khulbe, who was at the site, said an iron mesh which had come in the path of the drilling machine that was creating an escape path for workers, was removed in the morning. Removing the mesh in a claustrophobic environment inside the pipe was difficult and the problem was compounded by lack of oxygen, said Khulbe. Key Points
Economic TimesGreen Channel to move machinery created
The PMO is coordinating the movement of these heavy machinery and has been in touch with officials from state and central agencies. Principal Secretary to the PM, PK Mishra, held review meetings with the stakeholders and enquired about the status of rescue mission. Key Points
Economic TimesAs Biden weighs Willow, he blocks other Alaska oil drilling
President Joe Biden prepares a final decision on the huge Willow oil project in Alaska. Plans announced Sunday night will bar drilling in nearly 3 million acres of the Beaufort Sea — closing it off from oil exploration — and limit drilling in more than 13 million acres in a vast swath of land known as the National Petroleum Reserve - Alaska. Key Points
India Todaydrilling to rescue 40 men trapped in Uttarakhand tunnel halted after snag, cracking sound
During efforts to restart the drilling machine, a large-scale cracking sound was heard, according to a report from the state-run National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation (NHIDCL). The sound created a panic situation in the tunnel as well as to the team working, the report said. Key Points
Economic Times
The Dream of Geothermal Energy Is Alive in Utah
A new drilling technology promises to unlock a wealth of energy—without a fossil fuel in sight. Will Knight sits down with WIRED senior writer Gregory Barber to find out more. Key Points
WIREDdrilling resumes at Silkyara tunnel to rescue 41 workers, PM Modi speaks to Dhami on rescue operations
The Border Roads Organisation has completed construction of a road near the Silkyara site to enable machines to pass through to rescue the 41 workers trapped for the past 11 days inside the 4.5 tunnel, a portion of which collapsed on November 12. Key Points
FirstpostSilkyara tunnel: drilling remains suspended for yet another day, Nitin Gadkari reviews rescue operation
The minister said the workers are trapped in an area of the tunnel where they can move around. They have electricity, open space, food, water and oxygen. Key Points
Economic TimesWorkers stuck in Uttarkashi tunnel for 240 hours, vertical drilling likely today
As 41 workers remain trapped in a partially collapsed tunnel in Uttarakhand's Uttarkashi for over 240 hours (10 days), authorities are likely to begin vertical drilling on Tuesday afternoon. A drone was damaged due to debris obstruction while surveying the site. Key Points
India TodayRescuers working at Uttarkashi tunnel collapse site start replacing drilling machine
Operation to rescue 41 labourers enters 7th day. A new auger machine has been brought from Madhya Pradesh to replace the one that broke Friday. Key Points
ThePrint