UTTARKASHI RESCUE OPERATION IN FINAL STAGE, SAYS CM DHAMI

Both the central and state government agencies are working together for the rescue operation.

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Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Friday said that the rescue operation to extricate 41 workers trapped in a portion of the Silkyara tunnel in Uttarkashi, which collapsed over a week ago, is "in its final stage," adding that both the Central and state government agencies are working together.

CM Dhami said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is taking all the updates regarding the rescue operation being carried out at the Silkyara tunnel.

"The rescue operation is in its last stage. PM Modi is taking all the updates about the difficulties that workers might face and discussing the solutions. Both the central and state government agencies are working together for the rescue operation. We hope that soon this operation will be completed and all the workers will come out,” CM Dhami said.

Earlier in the day, Additional Secretary Technical, Road and Transport Mahmood Ahmed said that the auger drilling machine, which developed some cracks on Thursday, has been reassembled and they hope to push the pipe further this time with no obstacles.

“The auger drilling machine has been reassembled. A new pipe will be put in after the welding, which will take two hours. After two hours, we will push the pipe inside the tunnel. We hope that we push the pipe further this time and will face no obstacles,” Additional Secretary Ahmed said.