Khichdi in bottle, yoga: How 41 workers are surviving in Uttarkashi tunnel

The workers trapped inside the collapsed Silkyara tunnel in Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi district are facing an increasingly difficult battle for survival as all elements seems to be conspiring against the rescue operation.

Over five different agencies are working on different ways to find a way to evacuate the labourers as the rescue operation enters its 10th day.

The operation came to a standstill over the weekend, due to an American drilling machine breaking down. It was subsequently decided to use an alternative strategy called “top down” drilling.

In the meantime, the rescue workers are sending water, oxygen, and cooked meals to the stranded workers. The government is also providing dry fruits, antidepressants, and multivitamins in addition to these necessities.

Let’s take a look at how these workers are surviving inside.

Cooked food, fruits and other essential items sent

Puffed rice, chana, and dry fruits had been the labourers’ only sources of nourishment up until this point. However, the government is expanding their food supply with bananas, apple slices, daliya, and khichdi, as a six-inch pipe now reaches the two-kilometer-long tunnel portion of the collapsed construction where labourers are confined.

According to ANI, rescuers are filling khichdi in cylindrical bottles to be sent to the stranded workers. Hemant, the cook who prepared the khichdi, said that this is the first time a hot meal is being sent to the workers. “We are only preparing the food which we have been recommended,” he said.

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#WATCH | Uttarkashi (Uttarakhand) Tunnel Rescue: Food items including Khichdi, Dal are being prepared and packed to be delivered to the people trapped inside the tunnel

Cook Hemant says, "Food will be sent to the people trapped inside. For the first time, hot food is being sent… pic.twitter.com/dAVZSSi1Ne

— ANI (@ANI) November 20, 2023

Rescue operation in-charge Colonel Deepak Patil said that through this alternative lifeline we can send food, mobiles, and chargers inside the tunnel. He also said keeping in mind the condition of the labourers, a list has been prepared with the help of doctors on available food options.

“We are bringing plastic cylindrical bottles with wide mouths so that we can send bananas, apples, khichdi and daliya,” he added.

According to PTI, the government is sending multivitamins, antidepressants and dry fruits to the trapped workers.

#WATCH | Uttarkashi (Uttarakhand) tunnel rescue | Rescue team officials establish audio-visual contact with the workers trapped in the tunnel for the first time, through the pipeline and endoscopic flexi camera.

(Video Source: District Information Officer) pic.twitter.com/JKtAtHQtN4

— ANI (@ANI) November 21, 2023

“Since the first day, we have been sending food through the 4-inch wall. As sunlight is not reaching there, we are sending Vitamin B, Vitamin C, and antidepressants as doctors suggested. These people have been working in the tunnel for a long time, so there is no disappointment among them, and they are looking forward to coming out. It will take some time, but we will eventually get them out,” Ministry of Road and Transport Anurag Jain told ANI on Sunday.

Anshu Manish Khalkho, Director of the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited, detailed the ongoing support efforts: “We’re providing food every half-an-hour and maintaining communication every two-three hours.”

Walks, yoga & talks with relatives

The trapped labourers have been asked to engage in activities like yoga, walking and have encouraging conversations among themselves and with their loved ones.

Indian Express quoted Dr Abhishek Sharma, the government-appointed psychiatrist overseeing the mental health of workers, as emphasising their resilient spirits. He said, “We’ve kept constant contact, suggesting activities like yoga, walking, and encouraging conversations among them to maintain high morale. Among those trapped inside is one Gabbar Singh Negi, who has been in a similar condition before. Being the oldest among them, he is ensuring everyone’s confidence remains high.”

Khalko said “officials from various states, relatives, and medical professionals are also regularly engaging with them, fostering two-way communication through our channels.”

The two-mile buffer zone trapping workers is also being used by them to take a lengthy stroll. As per information provided to the Odisha government when they arrived at the site, a few men had gone for a walk to the opposite end of the tunnel.

The sanitation needs taken care

According to officials, the stranded labourers have also set aside a space for their sanitary requirements approximately one kilometre away from the wreckage, reported Indian Express.

The fact that there is a natural water source inside the tunnel is beneficial for the workers, even with the difficult conditions. Dr Sharma said, “They have been resourceful, using containers to store and utilise this water for drinking and other necessities. To make sure it’s safe, chlorine pills were supplied.”

According to the authorities, there are no problems with chilly weather or mosquitoes because the area is closed. Asked if the workers have any option to bathe or change clothes, an official said: “Bathing or changing clothes will probably be the last thing on their mind.”

Keeping the morale high

The workers’ strong morale helps them combat the anxiety that comes with waiting for help for an extended period of time, even when the rescue operation encounters numerous obstacles, as per Livemint.

“Keeping up the morale of the trapped workers and their family members should be everyone’s collective responsibility at the moment," Union Minister Nitin Gadkari stated, emphasising the importance of doing so.

“Fortunately, there is light inside because the electricity is on. There is a pipeline, and thus water is available. There is a four-inch pipe, which was used for compression. Through that, we are sending food from day 1,” he added, while taking stock of the situation on Monday.

Latest developments in rescue operations

Earlier on Monday, Khulko said there was an atmosphere of joy among the trapped labourers after they came to know about the breakthrough.

The NHIDCL Director said the rescuers will now go with full force to evacuate the labourers.

“Earlier there was doubt what would happen if the first lifeline was closed. But now that we have established an alternative lifeline, now we will go with full force,” Khulko said.

Meanwhile, two robotics machines of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) - weighing 20 kilogrammes and 50 kilogrammes- have arrived at the site.

On the use of the robotics machine from DRDO, the NHIDCL Director said, “An attempt was made to use that machine inside, but as I told you, the strata and rubble inside (the tunnel) are very loose, so it was not successful there.”

With inputs from agencies