Soft Rocks, Sinking Ground: Experts Flag Challenges In Tunnel Rescue Op
NDTV
The under-construction tunnel is part of the ambitious Char Dham project, a national highway plan to connect Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri
The government is making sincere efforts to rescue 40 workers trapped inside an under-construction tunnel in Uttarakhand, but a serious rethink is required on how to develop infrastructure in the Himalayan region, an expert has told NDTV.
Dr Sudhir Krishna, former secretary of Union Urban Development ministry, said there are multiple challenges in rescuing the workers, who have been trapped for more than 70 hours now. They have been provided food, water and oxygen, but attempts to bring them out have been hampered by landslides. New equipment is now being flown in from Delhi to assist in the rescue work.
"Himalayan region comprises soft rocks in general. Only in patches, there are hard stable rocks. It's a difficult situation. There are multiple challenges (in rescue work), landslide is one, land subsidence is the second," Dr Krishna said. Subsidence is the sinking of the ground due to mining and other underground activities.
