SLBC rescue operations: Robotic services yet to become fully operational

The robotic services that have been drafted to speed up the rescue mission in the SLBC almost ten days ago are yet to become operational in the tunnel. The rescue teams are facing potential threats as they try to reach out to the risky zone. Tiger clogs have been installed in stretches where segment blocks are found to be weak.

Efforts to deploy robots for rescue operations are in progress. Nine days ago, officials deployed an automated sludge removal robot into the tunnel, and support staff deployed in the tunnel could install a vacuum tanker as part of the efforts. But the network and technical issues



continued to hamper the effective use of robotic technology.

It has been 28 days since the SLBC tunnel accident, and the whereabouts of the seven of the eight missing workers could not be traced. Rescue efforts have been focused mainly on D1 and D2 pockets, where debris removal is underway. Dewatering operations are being carried out extensively using heavy pumps.

Rescue personnel, equipped with their machinery, entered the tunnel using the loco train to continue their search and rescue operations on Friday morning also.