LUCKNOW: Amid the efforts of ongoing multi-agency rescue operations to provide a safe passage to 41 workers trapped in the Silkyara tunnel in Uttarkashi in Uttarakhand, the Indian Railways in close coordination with its six zones is running a non-stop special freight train carrying drilling equipment from Sambalpur Junction of Odisha.A visual of the special train movement revealed that it was carrying emergency drilling equipment hauled by a diesel engine on five BOMN wagons which are primarily used for transportation of military vehicles.Cruising at maximum 60 kmph, the train is expected to reach Rishikesh railway station on Thursday evening.Zones which are coordinating for the special freight train include East Coast Railway, South Eastern Railway, South East Central Railway, West Central Railway, North Central Railway and Northern Railway.Uttarkashi Tunnel Collapse: Silkyara tunnel workers find distraction in play during anxious waitA visual of the special train movement revealed that it was carrying emergency drilling equipment hauled by a diesel engine on five BOMN wagons which are primarily used for transportation of military vehicles.Uttarkashi Tunnel Rescue: Basukinath Temple built at entrance of tunnel collapseAccording to an official source, The train has to cover more than 1650 km with the equipment following which it is expected to be loaded on trailer trucks, which would carry the heavy material on road for the next 165 km to reach Silkyara tunnel in Uttarkashi district.
By road it is expected to cover the distance in four-five hours.Uttarkashi Tunnel Rescue: Sudarsan Pattnaik's sand sculpture pleads for rescue of Silkyara Tunnel workersAnother source said, The movement of trains is being monitored at top level.
Its the most priority train at this moment for the Indian Railways and all rail men and women are ensuring that it reaches its destination in the minimum possible time with utmost safety.
By the time this report was filed, the freight train was about to pass via national capital Delhi.