41 workers trapped in Uttarkashi tunnel to be out soon

NDMA member Lt-Gen (retd) Syed Ata Hasnain said, "According to me, it will take the entire night to complete this operation."

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee sent a team to Uttarkashi to help workers from the state. The workers will be taken back home after their initial medical examination. Three of the trapped workers are from West Bengal.

NDMA member Lt-Gen (retd) Syed Ata Hasnain said, "All safety precautions will be implemented. No premature announcements are to be made, it will be against all principles. We also have to take care of the safety and security of people who are rescuing the wrokers...We are not in any hurry."

Lt-Gen (retd) Syed Ata Hasnain said, "The last time to fly the Chinook helicopter is 4:30 pm. We will not fly it during the night. Since there is a delay, the workers will be brought the next morning."

Lt-Gen (retd) Hasnain said it would take almost three to four hours to rescue all the workers from inside the tunnel.

"It is estimated that it will take three to five minutes to evacuate each of the 41 persons... Three teams of NDRF will go inside the tunnel to organise the evacuation. SDRF will provde support. Paramedics will also go inside the tunnel at the time of evacuation."

National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) member Lieutenant General (retired) Syed Ata Hasnain said, "We are at 58 meters, we are hoping that after 2 m, we can say that it has passed through. The trapped workers inside have said they can hear noises of work being done and an estimate can be made where the tunnel will pass through."

A Chinook helicopter is reportedly ready at the Chinyalisaur airstrip in case the workers need to be airlifted after their rescue from tunnel. The rescue operation is very close to completion and the workers are expected to be evacuated by evening.

After being evacuated, the workers will reportedly undergo health training at the temporary medical facility set up outside the tunnel. If they require special medial attention, the health department has arranged eight beds and a team of doctors has been deployed.

Accurate Concrete Solutions managing director Akshet Katyaal said, "The pipe has been pushed inside very cautiously without any hurdle, a breakthrough has been achieved and the pipe has passed through. The work to rescue labourers has started. There are at least 3-4 phases in the rescue operation. Teams of NDRF have entered inside. The labourers will be taken out once the ramp is made."

The trapped workers will be brought out on wheeled stretchers though they are in good health.

The trapped workers are reportedly in good health. Yesterday bat and ball were sent to the workers to alleviate their stress.

Garlands have been brought near the tunnel in anticipation of the workers being evacuated. CM Pushkar Singh Dhami is present at the site.

The family members of the trapped workers have been brought inside the tunnel.

The 41 workers awaiting rescue will be brought to Community Health Center in Chinyalisaur for medical treatment after they are evacuated from the tunnel.