Heavy auger equipment brought from Delhi to expedite rescue operations after the collapse of the Uttarkashi tunnel

A 25-tonne heavy auger machine was sent by three Indian Air Force special aircraft on Wednesday in an attempt to expedite the rescue of forty laborers who were stranded in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand’s Silkyara tunnel, which partially collapsed due to a landslide on Sunday.

The auger machine was transported from Delhi and has a new machine penetration rate of 4-5 meters per hour.

The auger machine touched down at Chinyalisaur airstrip after being transported in three batches by Air Force Hercules aircraft. It was transported along a verdant corridor to the tunnel site.

On Wednesday at around 1 p.m., the Air Force’s first Hercules aircraft carrying components of the new machine from Hindon Airbase in New Delhi touched down at the Chinyalisaur airfield. At approximately 4:45 p.m., the components were driven by truck to the Silkyara Tunnel.

The relief and rescue operation’s commander, Colonel Deepak Patil, said that the US-made Jack and Push Earth Auger equipment is very sophisticated and operates quickly. The relief and rescue effort has now been joined by the military operation team.

In addition, special teams from Thailand and Norway are being called in to assist with the rescue of 40 laborers who are stuck in the tunnel. We’ve made touch with a Thai rescue organization. This organization is the same one who saved kids from a Thai cave. We have also asked Norway’s NGI agency for suggestions. Additionally, specialists from RVNL, RITES, IRCON, and Indian Railways are also contributing comments, he said.