Work on the tunnel itself is not likely to resume for three months, said NHIDCL Executive Director Sandeep Sudhera, adding that they are approaching the situation with caution.
When sophisticated heavy-duty machines gave up, it was a band of 12 rat-hole miners who became the saviours of workers trapped in the Uttarkashi tunnel collapse.
After 41 trapped colleagues were rescued, workers in the Silkyara tunnel wonder whether to stay or go back home. Construction will only resume after a safety audit of the tunnel.
The government deserves compliments for placing a barrier between the public and the rescue mission. Or news channels would have done everything to enter the tunnel.
The chief minister also announced Rs 50,000 reward for each of the rescue workers who went inside the evacuation passage and helped the trapped labourers come out of the tunnel.
Gruelling rescue mission that hit quite a few snags carried to its end by rat-miners who burrowed through 12-15 metres of rubble and laid an evacuation pipe for trapped workers.
12 rat-hole miners have been trying to clear a path to the trapped workers, cutting and removing the debris by hand in a hazardous procedure. Workers have been trapped for 17 days.
The drilling from inside the pipe, which is 3 feet wide, will be done by a team of six 'rat miners' from central India, who officials described as 'skilled workers'.
About 300 employees had called in sick Wednesday, allegedly in protest against mismanagement of airlines. Remaining staff given ultimatum to rejoin work by end of Thursday.
The Short Service Commissioned officers are demanding pension and contributory provident funds rights. The plea also questions disparity with Permanent Commissioned officers.
A theme has not yet emerged for BJP & people see lack of a contest, which makes it unexciting. For all these reasons, 2024 is turning out to be an unexpectedly theme-less election.
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