green channel: Green Channel to move machinery created

New Delhi: A dedicated green channel is being facilitated across several states for the movement of heavy machinery and equipment through the railways and road transport for the implementation of four other strategies in case horizontal drilling by the auger machine hits a hurdle, said officials. The movement of heavy equipment is being ensured across Odisha, Gujarat, Mumbai and Ghaziabad in UP, they added.

The PMO is coordinating the movement of these heavy machinery and has been in touch with officials from state and central agencies. Principal Secretary to the PM, PK Mishra, held review meetings with the stakeholders and enquired about the status of rescue mission.

According to officials present at the rescue site, the Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam’s machine that is part of the alternative plan for the vertical rescue tunnel construction has arrived at the site and installation is underway. For railways, the ministry is coordinating with the state administration to ensure faster movement of machinery using goods trains, officials added.

Plans are also afoot to undertake perpendicular-horizontal drilling by Rail Vikas Nigam Limited. “The equipment has been mobilised from Gujarat and Odisha through railways as it weighs 75 tonnes and could not be airlifted. Simultaneous plans are being pursued to overcome any setback in horizontal drilling by NHIDCL,” said another official.

ONGC is mobilising machinery from the US, Mumbai and Ghaziabad for vertical boring from the Barkot end of the tunnel.