Rescuing trapped labourers from collapsed Silkyara Tunnel may take 2 more days: Officials

All 40 workers trapped in an under-construction tunnel on Char Dham route are safe and being sent food and water, authorities assured Monday but said rescue operation could take up to two more days.

A portion of tunnel under construction between Silkyara and Dandalgaon on Brahmakhal-Yamunotri national highway collapsed in early hours of Sunday.

All workers trapped are safe and communicating, officials said on Monday as Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami visited site.

While oxygen started being supplied to trapped labourers immediately after launch of rescue operations on Sunday, y could only get drinking water and light food after contact was first established with m past midnight.

Secretary Disaster Management Ranjit Kumar Sinha who visited tunnel said trapped labourers could be rescued by Tuesday night or Wednesday.

rescue strategy is now focused on stabilising loose muck by shotcreting (concrete spraying) and pushing in a large diametre steel pipe through rubble to evacuate trapped workers.

Loose muck falling constantly from above clogs excavated area, slackening progress of rescuers. So it needs to be stabilised through shotcreting, an official engaged in operations said.

"About 15-20 metres of rubble has been removed so far and process is on. We plan to push in a steel pipe of 800 MM diametre by boring a hole into heap of debris. We hope to rescue trapped by Tuesday night or Wednesday," secretary of disaster management told reporters in Silkyara.

first communication with labourers was established through wireless past midnight on Sunday, Circle officer Prashant Kumar said.

NHIDCL Director Anshu Manish Khalkho said rescuers have contacted labourers several times since through a pipe meant to supply food to m.

Rescuers who worked overnight trying to prepare an escape passage for labourers have sent m dry fruits, among ors food, he said.

"We are trying out all options to secure ir early and safe evacuation. We have a plan A, plan B and plan C rey and are progressing accordingly," Khalkho said.

collapsed area is spre over 30 metres and located 270 metres inside tunnel from Sikyara side, an official statement released from state capital Dehrun said.

tunnel, supposed to be 4,531 metre-long when rey, is alrey built 2,340 metres from Silkyara side and 1,750 metres from Barkot side.

A technical committee heed by Uttarakhand Landslide Minimisation and Management Centre is looking into circumstances that led to partial collapse of tunnel following a landslide, release said.

According to a list of trapped workers issued by District Emergency Operation Centre, 15 are from Jharkhand, eight from Uttar Presh, five from Orissa, four from Bihar, three from West Bengal, two each from Uttarakhand and Assam, and one from Himachal Presh.

Dhami during his visit told reporters that all efforts were being me for safe rescue of all those trapped in debris.

"Safely rescuing trapped workers is our priority. rescue operation is being carried out expeditiously. I want to assure families of trapped labourers that y will be rescued soon," he said.

chief minister said Centre and his government were working toger to rescue trapped labourers.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken a detailed update on rescue operations and assured of all possible help, he ded.

Rescue efforts led by personnel from multiple agencies, including National Disaster Response Force, State Disaster Response Force, Indo-Tibetan Border Police, and Border Ros Organisation, have been on since Sunday morning.

District Magistrate Abhishek Ruhela went inside tunnel Monday morning to review rescue op and discuss strategy to save labourers.