Choppers, green corridor, beds in AIIMS... : What happens to 41 workers trapped inside Uttarkashi tunnel when rescued

The operation to rescue 41 workers trapped in the under-construction Silkyara tunnel in Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi that collapsed on 12 November is underway at a war footing. The NDRF, which is working in the rescue of trapped labourers, said it is hopeful that by the end of the day, “if we do not get any obstacles, the rescue operation will be completed.”

Meanwhile, Bhaskar Khulbe, former advisor to PMO, said: “In the next 14-15 hours, we will be able to cross the 60-metre mark. It will take 12-14 hours more for us to reach the spot where the workers are trapped and then it can take 2-3 hours more to assemble the workers and bring them out with the help of NDRF personnel.”

KS Nagnyal, IG Garhwal Range, said: “The attempt at rescue is under progress and rescue is expected to be carried out very soon…It is machinery work so a stipulated time can’t be decided…The rescue work will go on at night as well.”

Talking to Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and Union Minister V K Singh (Retd), the trapped workers said “they are fine”.

“All the necessary medicines have been sent. Our psychiatrists and mental health doctors have also had a conversation with the 41 trapped workers. They do not have any problem inside,” Neeraj Khairwal, Uttarakhand Secretary and Nodal Officer for Silkayara rescue operation, said.

It is being said the operation to rescue 41 labourers trapped in the tunnel in Uttarkashi has reached its final stage after 12 days, but what will happen after their safe evacuation, is what most of us are willing to know. Green corridor for movement Arpan Yaduvanshi, SP, Uttarkashi said there will be a green corridor for the movement of the 41 workers after they are rescued. “Our post-rescue action plan is ready. We have prepared final details about where to take them (rescued workers), how to take them. We will have a green corridor in place for their movement,” Yaduvanshi said.

Beds ready at AIIMS Rishikesh There is a plan to take the rescued workers to AIIMS Rishikesh if needed, said Dr Narinder Kumar, Hospital Administration, AIIMS Rishikesh. “The government has made arrangements at the district hospital in Uttarkashi. They will be taken there first. We have also made arrangements here. Trauma, ICU beds have been reserved for them,” Dr Kumar added.

41 ambulances at spot Ambulances are on standby to ferry rescued workers to hospitals. “We will have at least one ambulance per person along with his attendant in it,” Dr RCS Pawar, Chief Medical Officer to Uttarkashi, said. Of the 41 ambulances, 31 are of ‘108’, while the other 10 have been provided by the administration." “A total of 31 ambulances are here. Out of 31 ambulances, seven are ALS, while others are BLS. ALS stands for advanced life support, and BLS is basic life support. 27 ambulances are here, and there are five ambulances near the tunnel… All the ambulances are well equipped, it’s like a mini emergency,” Mukesh Nautiyal, Project Manager, Operation 108 Ambulance said.

Serious patients to be shifted to ALS Narendra Badoni, District Program Officer of 108 Ambulance said his team has been given the direction that as the workers will be rescued from the Silkyara tunnel, the ambulances will be numbered, and we will be informed which ambulance will go where. “Serious patients will be shifted to ALS, and normal patients will be kept in BLS. ALS is advanced life support with a cardiac monitor, and BLS is basic life support,” he added.

Two helicopters to ferry workers There are also two helicopters on standby to ferry rescued workers to hospitals. “Two choppers have also been kept on standby by the disaster management team at Chinyalisaur,” a ToI report quoted Dr RCS Panwar, Chief medical officer of Uttarkashi. 15 doctors to monitor workers The report also quoted sources saying 15 doctors have been called to monitor the health of workers after they are rescued. With inputs from agencies