On Tuesday, rescuers provided a ray of hope by unveiling the initial video footage of labourers ensnared within Uttarkashi’s Silkyara tunnel for a harrowing 10-day period. Employing an endoscopic camera manoeuvred through a 6-inch alternative food pipeline, the visuals depicted workers adorned in distinctive yellow and white helmets. This gripping footage showcased the trapped individuals receiving sustenance through the innovative pipeline and actively participating in conversations with the diligent rescue teams. The release of this footage marked a pivotal moment, bringing a palpable sense of relief to the families anxiously awaiting news about their loved ones trapped in the tunnel.
Amidst the gripping visuals, the workers’ resilience and communication with the rescue teams not only offered a glimpse into their challenging ordeal but also underscored the dedication and progress of the ongoing rescue efforts. This development, capturing both the challenges faced and the collaborative response, served as a beacon of optimism in a critical situation.
The Director of the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), Anshu Manish Khalkho, had previously announced plans to use cameras to assess the well-being of workers trapped in the Silkyara-Barkot tunnel. Following its arrival from Delhi on Monday evening, the camera deployment through the pipeline became a reality.
On Monday, rescuers successfully maneuvered a six-inch-wide pipeline through the rubble of the collapsed tunnel to provide larger quantities of food and other essentials to the 41 workers stranded inside. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on the same day, engaged in a discussion with Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami regarding the ongoing rescue operations. Modi assured that the Centre is actively supplying the necessary rescue equipment and resources, emphasizing a coordinated effort between the central government and the Uttarakhand administration to ensure the safe evacuation of the trapped workers.