Who is Arnold Dix, the tunnelling expert India saluted after 41 workers were rescued from Silkyara tunnel?
By Sunita Iyer | First Published Nov 28, 2023, 10:16 PM ISTArnold Dix, an internationally recognized expert in tunnelling, played a pivotal role in the rescue operation of 41 workers from collapsed Silkyara tunnel in Uttarakhand. His involvement garnered significant media attention throughout the rescue efforts.
After a tense 17-day operation, rescuers on Tuesday successfully extracted all 41 workers who were trapped in Uttarakhand's Silkyara tunnel since November 12. The multi-agency effort, marked by fluctuating emotions of hope and despair, culminated in a moment of relief as Union Minister V K Singh and Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami welcomed the rescued workers.
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National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel utilized a steel chute to guide the workers through a 60-meter passage to safety. The first ambulance, carrying one of the rescued workers, departed around 8 pm, an hour after rat-hole mining experts cleared the final stretch of rubble.
New India demonstrates unwavering strength to save 41 lives!
Witness the heroic rescue in Uttarkashi, where 41 lives are safeguarded, reflecting India's commitment to leaving no one behind. pic.twitter.com/TF2y5qE0Kt
Outside the tunnel, there were scenes of jubilation, with hugs and cheers marking the end of the harrowing ordeal. Observers chanted slogans like "Har Har Mahadev" and "Bharat Mata ki Jai." The ambulances transported the workers to a community health center, equipped with a special 41-bed ward for their immediate medical needs.
विजयी भव:!
Watch as 41 lives are rescued to safety in Uttarkashi because in India, no one is left behind. pic.twitter.com/YfUP5TPf3Q
Before reaching the health center, the rescued workers underwent a quick medical checkup as they emerged from the steel pipe. Chief Minister Dhami reassured the public, stating that none of the workers were in critical condition. However, he emphasized that the laborers would be kept under medical observation for some time before being allowed to return home.
CM Dhami shared that the youngest worker was the first to be rescued, emphasizing the meticulous planning and execution of the operation. The tunnel collapse occurred on November 12, obstructing the exit for the trapped workers. Throughout the ordeal, essential supplies, including food and medicine, were delivered through a six-inch pipe inserted into the collapsed portion.
Families expressed immense relief as their loved ones were safely brought out of the tunnel. In one such instance, a brother, Sunil from Jharkhand, shared his gratitude over the phone, expressing joy that his brother, Anil, had been rescued. Families were allowed into the tunnel earlier in the day to accompany their loved ones to the medical center.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah praised the commendable efforts of the rescue workers. Modi highlighted the exemplary display of humanity and teamwork, expressing satisfaction that the workers would soon reunite with their families. Shah saluted the grit of the trapped workers for enduring a challenging situation for an extended period.
Who is Arnold Dix?
The final hurdle in the rescue operation involved a group of experts skilled in rat-hole mining, a technique for extracting small amounts of coal through narrow burrows. These experts were called in after an American-made auger boring machine became stuck in the horizontal passage, approximately 47 meters deep. Their manual drilling efforts proved crucial in overcoming this obstacle and ensuring the success of the rescue operation.
Arnold Dix, an internationally recognized expert in tunnelling, played a pivotal role in the rescue operation. His involvement garnered significant media attention throughout the rescue efforts. However, for those unfamiliar, who is Arnold Dix?
Tunnel Expert Arnold Dix offers prayers at temple built at tunnel entrance before the rescue operation in Uttarkashi
We need prayers and power of almighty
Har Har Mahadev 🙏🏼 pic.twitter.com/ewXbDEu7db
The art of communication is essentially the art of storytelling. Our ancient culture has its roots in storytelling. But we need to revive & refine those skills. In the meantime, here’s an Australian giving us a master class…👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 pic.twitter.com/QP4huuS78u
— anand mahindra (@anandmahindra)Professor Arnold Dix leads the International Tunnelling and Underground Space Association, headquartered in Geneva. His expertise lies in the domains of underground development and transportation infrastructure. Dix is renowned for his willingness to navigate legal, environmental, political, and ethical challenges associated with underground construction.
Additionally, Professor Dix provides counsel on risks linked to underground construction, earning him global recognition as the foremost authority on underground tunnelling. In 2011, he was presented with the bi-annual Alan Neyland Australasian Tunnelling Society award for outstanding contributions to tunnelling, particularly in the realm of tunnel fire safety. Furthermore, in 2022, Professor Dix was bestowed with a Committee Service Award from the National Fire Protection Association of the United States of America, underscoring his ongoing and significant contributions to shaping codes and standards for tunnel safety.
Here's a look at how India offered their special thanks to Arnold Dix for helping in the safe evacuation of 41 workers:
Salute to Arnold Dix, the tunnel expert who made it possible to rescue the miners. Thank you 🙏
(P.S.: He is the only Australian who gave us good news this November) pic.twitter.com/WRN8MkV9xN
Arnold Dix should be made a honorary citizen of India 🇮🇳 for helping save lives of 41 Indian Citizens. We shall now call him Arnav Dixit. pic.twitter.com/myUfPZhsqT
— Yo Yo Funny Singh (@moronhumor)Hats off to Australia’s Professor Arnold Dix who provided important technical support on the ground. is proud of you, thanks in all levels of expertise to save 41 trapped
workers.
pic.twitter.com/nEw7yfeWEx
Absolutely. Arnold Dix deserves Padma Shri. https://t.co/74DMwSB13g
— Man Aman Singh Chhina (@manaman_chhina)Meet International Tunneling Expert Prof Arnold Dix , he's one of the key minds behind this successful & saving 41 lives.
Just tag him & say Thank you. pic.twitter.com/3vV9gvy7po
And special thanks to this guy,Arnold Dix who was there to bring all 41 of them back safe. pic.twitter.com/GZU8rLIu8I
— Anamitra Goswami (@the_saturnian_)India may not have cheered the Australia win at but today a big cheer is due from India to this Australian. Tunnelling expert aided the every step of the way. pic.twitter.com/gqRqothAdW
— Sagarika Ghose (@sagarikaghose)Kaam aise kro ki poore 141 crore bhartiya salute kare🫡🫡
🔱🕉️🚩🚩
Sir Arnold Dix
All the 41 pic.twitter.com/FMOX2Dg9nH
thank you sir u r o my Australian who gave us a reason to smile in this month thank you once again
— vishal thakur (@rinku85)Thank you Mr. Arnold Dix..🫡🫡🫡
You saved 41 lives.....🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
Humanity Wins...👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏 pic.twitter.com/3iar2K5gIu
Salute to ArnoldDix 🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/qhFZTdXdsG
— ＳＯＵＶＩＫ (@price_trader_)Saving human life is the highest virtue in life.
And He Saved 41 Lives ❤️
Thank you Arnold Dix ❤️ pic.twitter.com/rPzcKRD4NY
After 17 longest days of darkness, India sees the light today! Indeed, our team proved that there is light at the end of the tunnel.
I extend my gratitude and sincere appreciation to the NDRF team, tunneling expert , rat hole miners and everyone involved in… pic.twitter.com/1jnAt3w5AF
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