Tunneling expert Arnold Dix prays outside tunnel for safe rescue of trapped workers

Dehradun: As operations are underway to rescue the 41 workers trapped beneath the rubble following the tunnel collapse incident in Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi on November 12, international tunneling expert Arnold Dix on Tuesday joined a priest in praying for the safe evacuation of the workers trapped inside the Silkyara tunnel. 

Also chants of ‘Jai Mata Di’, 'Jai Shri Ram' were heard from inside the tunnel. 

With rescue work nearing completion, around 16 ambulances have arrived at the spot. Only 2 metres of drilling is left. the rescuers are just two meters away from the trapped workers. A separate ward comprising 41 oxygen-supported beds has been readied at the community health centre in Chinyalisaur, about 30 km from Silkyara, for the workers. 

Who is Arnold Dix?

Professor Arnold Dix is an expert in subterranean and transportation infrastructure, covering everything from construction risk to more complex problems pertaining to operational safety performance. He also advises on the risks of underground construction and is widely regarded as the world's leading expert on underground tunnelling. 

Arnold Dix had earlier said that the workers would be evacuated by Christmas, December 25. "The drilling, augering has stopped. It's too much for the auger (machine), it is not going to do anything more. We are looking at multiple options, but with each option, we are considering how we make sure that 41 men come home safe and we don't hurt anyone. The mountain has again resisted the auger, so we are rethinking our approach. I am confident that the 41 men are coming home by Christmas. No one has been hurt, everyone is well. At the moment everything is fine. You will not see the augering anymore, ” Dix had said. 

The multi-agency rescue effort began on November 12 when a portion of the under-construction tunnel on Uttarakhand's Char Dham route collapsed following a landslide, trapping the 41 workers inside.