‘Building doors’ to pull out Uttarkashi tunnel workers, miracle no one hurt, says Australian expert

Despite excellent engineering, sometimes things go wrong and this happened in Silkyara tunnel collapse, Australian expert Arnold Dix tells ThePrint.

Independent tunnelling expert Arnold Dix returns after offering prayers at a makeshift temple before entering the tunnel | Suraj Singh Bisht | ThePrint

Uttarkashi: It is some miracle that no one got hurt in the Silkyara tunnel collapse, Arnold Dix, Australian tunneling expert, tells ThePrint. Rescue work was halted Thursday evening, and remained so till Friday evening. The independent expert feels that multiple coordinated plans — which he calls ‘doors’ — to evacuate the 41 workers trapped are fine. Dix says he is clear about his mission. Edited excerpts:

What do you think is the likely reason for this tunnel collapse? Does the fragile nature of the region seem to have a role in it?

The fragile nature of this tunnel and the rocks — the building of tunnels has to be done  carefully, that is why it collapsed. While we have excellent engineering, sometimes things go wrong. Something went wrong here also, but I am not sure what exactly it is.

Could you tell us a little about your work?

Mostly no one knows about my work, because when i am investigating disasters, everybody keeps it a secret and the reason behind is people have died. …the difference here is no one is hurt. Despite all of this happening, no worker, no rescuer is hurt, and also the public. The air force, the army, the federal government, the state government is here; and all are working together, so (that) those 41 men can go home and no one get hurts in the process.

Which part of your previous experience comes in handy in a situation like this?

I am calm and also try to look at the facts. That is why when coming to an opinion, about how I believe in this particular situation — I am so confident. I know that everyone is working together. We have so many positivities and when people are fit and warm. Of all those emergencies in the past, I like this… What I don’t like is when people say — ‘Oh…you taking it so long, you should’ve done it quicker’.

Is it a challenge to find an optimum rescue plan with multiple agencies working together? Also, with multiple points of drilling in the rescue plan, is there a danger to the men stuck inside?

Everyone has their opinion; a decision has been taken and then acted upon. The Multiple Ways I call them the ”doors”. For me, we all are building doors. We don’t know from which door those people are gonna come out. Yes, we do have to be careful; we do have to coordinate; and that is why when people say auguring is happening, but something else is not happening, that’s because what we have to do is to make sure, where the auguring is taking place, that no one (is) hurt. We have prepared others doors also, and this is the most impressive part of this whole planning exercise.

…everyone talks to each other and we share ideas. In my 30 years of experience, I have seen awful things, really awful things. That’s my job, and this is one of them.

Does it usually take this long to rescue people in a situation like this? Could you give us a few examples of the previous collapses you have worked on?

Different in this collapse, and all the others, is by some miracle that no one got hurt. I can’t express it but I have never seen this before. If I was to imagine it’s like an epic story of ancient times where a mountain captures some people, keeps them warm, allows food and medicine and holds them.

What did you mean when you called yourself “old school” in context of the rescue?

The “old school” context is that I always carry a compass in my pocket. It doesn’t need batteries. Because with a compass — I can say — touch it and understand it. Old school because when we are talking about vertical drilling… I just don’t rely on a map, that’s very old-fashioned. It will be much easier to go on site and just have a look.

How do you assess geological and geotechnical conditions for a tunnel project? Have you seen the detailed project report of the Silkyara tunnel? If yes, do you find any issue in it?

I haven’t accessed the DPR of this tunnel, because I don’t want my energy consumed by…doing a second analysis. What I do is I’m gonna have a look at what we have. I tried, and help the whole team here. My mission is really clear, i don’t want my mind to fuel with other ideas.

Were all safety protocols followed during construction? Any lapse that could have added to conditions that led to the collapse?

One thing that I have learned, during my 30 years is often around, festivals in all everywhere on earth, disasters is going to happen. … I am not worried if they (the trapped workers) were wearing their safety helmets, or did they had their glasses on as their eyes are fine, or did they have their safety gear on. They are fine. Were they wearing their safety boots, I don’t care. They are alive and well. In terms of the safety breach, I don’t care about anything (because) they’re alive and well.

Are there any recent technological advancements that have significantly impacted tunnel construction?

There have been a lot of technological changes over the years, and it always takes time for that technological changes to flow through the construction. I don’t have the detailed analysis (of) what’s been done in these tunnels.

But I know that India was one of the first countries to adopt special form of spray concrete with additives in it. So, I know that the innovations have been done, but I haven’t checked which innovations have been done here (Uttarkashi), what impact that could have here.

How long do you think it will take to rescue the workers? Are there any particular challenges that are delaying the operation?

Yes, there is a huge challenge facing the operations — the mountains. Every effort  to create the doors to let the men out is being responded to by another trick. The mountains, there’s always another little trick.

Do you think rapid construction in the Garhwal Himalayas poses a threat?

Construction anyway poses a threat… On the one hand, you need connections and on the other hand, they need to be balanced. From my understanding of these tunnels, they (want to) create a link for holy sites, (as) the roads now are really dangerous. I know from other countries when you improve the roads, you will see a decrease in the number of people killed. From my experience, building these tunnels will save lives… On the other hand, it creates environmental damage. So, it’s a balance and finding that balance I think is a challenge and will always be a challenge.

This report has been updated to reflect that rescue work was yet to resume as of Friday evening. The error is regretted.   

(Edited by Tony Rai)