Bulandshahr: The driver of an ambulance was charred to death when the vehicle caught fire. Flames erupted all of a sudden in the ambulance and the driver could get no time to jump off the vehicle and was burnt to death inside the running vehicle.According to police, the 102 ambulance was on its way back to hospital after dropping a patient from Khurja town of the district, late on Monday evening. The vehicle caught fire from the back and before anyone could alert the driver, the fire reached the bonnet.Sandeep Singh, SHO Khurja, Kotwali police station, said, “Before the driver could stop the ambulance and try to get out, fire engulfed the vehicle. He even tried to submerge the vehicle in a roadside pond to stop the fire, but failed. The fire burnt the driver, identified as Prashant Kumar, 23, to death. We have sent his body for autopsy and how the accident took place is being investigated.”—IANS

The driver of an ambulance was charred to death when the vehicle caught fire. Flames erupted all of a sudden in the ambulance and the driver could get no time to jump off the vehicle and was burnt to death inside the running vehicle.

Driver Charred To Death As Ambulance Catches Fire In UP

Bareilly: Seven people died on Tuesday when an ambulance coming from Delhi collided with a truck here, police said.The incident took place in the Fatehganj Paschim area when the driver of the ambulance lost control of the vehicle, which rammed a divider and came onto the other side of the road before hitting the truck, the Bareilly Police said on Twitter. Seven people died on the spot. It is suspected that the ambulance driver may have dozed off which led to the crash. A probe is on in the matter, and the victims are yet to be identified, the police said. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has condoled the loss of lives.—PTI

 Seven people died on Tuesday when an ambulance coming from Delhi collided with a truck here, police said.

7 dead as ambulance collides with truck in UP

 Seven people died on Tuesday when an ambulance coming from Delhi collided with a truck here, police said.



Gooty (<a href="https://www.aninews.in/topic/andhra-pradesh" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); text-decoration-line: none; cursor: pointer; font-family: MontserratMedium, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17.18px; letter-spacing: 0.5px; white-space: normal;">Andhra Pradesh</a>) : Moved by the sight of people carrying their loved ones in personal vehicles without any medical support during the peak of second wave of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aninews.in/topic/covid-19" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); text-decoration-line: none; cursor: pointer; font-family: MontserratMedium, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17.18px; letter-spacing: 0.5px; white-space: normal;">COVID-19</a>, two students of an engineering college in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aninews.in/topic/andhra-pradesh" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); text-decoration-line: none; cursor: pointer; font-family: MontserratMedium, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17.18px; letter-spacing: 0.5px; white-space: normal;">Andhra Pradesh</a>&nbsp;have developed an affordable two-wheeler ambulance to help the needy in the society .GATES Engineering College, Gooty,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aninews.in/topic/andhra-pradesh" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); text-decoration-line: none; cursor: pointer; font-family: MontserratMedium, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17.18px; letter-spacing: 0.5px; white-space: normal;">Andhra Pradesh</a>, have developed an affordable two-wheeler ambulance. The smartly-designed ambulance has been developed by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aninews.in/topic/subramamian-yashwant-and-izaz-ahamed" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); text-decoration-line: none; cursor: pointer; font-family: MontserratMedium, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17.18px; letter-spacing: 0.5px; white-space: normal;">Subramamian Yashwant and Izaz Ahamed</a>, two second-year students of the college who are currently pursuing mechanical engineering.The students developed this vehicle with the help of experts from '3DEXPERIENCE Lab of Dassault Systemes' in Pune.The innovative ambulance has been named '<a href="https://www.aninews.in/topic/heal-mobile" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); text-decoration-line: none; cursor: pointer; font-family: MontserratMedium, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17.18px; letter-spacing: 0.5px; white-space: normal;">Heal Mobile</a>' and will be used to ferry patients in rural areas where ambulance services are rare and hospitals can't afford them because of their high cost.Yashwant and Ahamed had shared the idea of their newly imagined cost-effective medical vehicle with the managing director of their institute. The director then approached Dassault Systemes in France for help in designing the ambulance. Impressed by the idea and the objective behind it, Dassault had developed the prototype of an ambulance using the 3D design platform CATIA. The French company also sent its representative Suhas Preetipal to provide help to the students in the project.Yashwant and Izaz Ahamed, under the supervision of Suhas Preetipal and college chief administrative officer V Anand, started giving a shape to their idea based on the design provided by Dassault. After 40-50 days of effort, they developed the two-wheeler ambulance, which can be attached to any 100 CC two-wheeler and it costs around Rs 50,000.The maximum speed of the two-wheeler ambulance is limited to 35 kmph and it can be operated on any type of roads due to its sturdy structure. It is equipped with an oxygen cylinder and other emergency medical equipment.&nbsp; (ANI)

Moved by the sight of people carrying their loved ones in personal vehicles without any medical support during the peak of second wave of COVID-19, two students of an engineering college in Andhra Pradesh have developed an affordable two-wheeler ambulance to help the needy in the society.

Aiming to help patients, engg students develop cheap two-wheeler ambulances

Bengaluru: Government ambulance services were hit in Karnataka forcing the public to opt for costly private services. Ambulance helpline number 108 is dysfunctional due to technical glitches leading to a crisis situation in the state.
Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Sunday stated that he would immediately get the information on the stalling of services of the ambulance helpline. He added that he would direct the Health and Family Welfare Minister to look into the issue and resolve it sooner.&nbsp;
Due to technical glitches, the people have not been getting any response from 108, the dedicated helpline for ambulance services, across the state for two days.
The helpline 108 normally handles 9,000 to 10,000 calls every day. However because of the glitches, the authorities are only receiving 2,000 to 3,000 calls now, according to sources.
The people have been forced to pay more as the private services have doubled the rate.
Hanumanth G R, Head of 108 emergency helpline, stated that there was a technical problem for two days. There is a glitch in the motherboard. Since it is the weekend, expert service is not available. The calls are being missed. However, the problem will be fixed by the evening, he maintained.
The district administrations have given parallel numbers for the people to use the numbers to call in emergency situations. At many places, the ambulance drivers have given their personal numbers.
—IANS

Government ambulance services were hit in Karnataka forcing the public to opt for costly private services. Ambulance helpline number 108 is dysfunctional due to technical glitches leading to a crisis situation in the state.

 Ambulance services hit in K'taka, CM directs Health Minister to resolve crisis

Lucknow: The hospital in Uttar Pradesh’s Mau district that provided an ambulance to gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari and was running allegedly on fake documents has been sealed by the police, police said.&nbsp;The Mau-based doctor Alka Rai, who was accused of helping Ansari get an ambulance, along with her bother Sheshnath Rai have been booked under the Gangster Act.Both of them co-own Shyam Sanjeevani hospital in Mau district, which has been sealed, the police added.&nbsp;The vehicle was registered with a fake address in Barabanki district.&nbsp;The Barabanki District Magistrate on September 29 had ordered police officials to seal the hospital.Mau Circle Officer Dhananjay Mishra along with a large contingent of police personnel, reached the nursing home and produced the sealing orders before Rai, who was present in the hospital.&nbsp;“Shyam Sanjeevani hospital has been sealed on the orders of the Barabanki District Magistrate,” said Mishra.In April 2021, the Barabanki police had lodged an FIR against Ansari and his associates in connection with the use of fake papers for registering an ambulance.&nbsp;—IANS&nbsp;

The hospital in Uttar Pradesh’s Mau district that provided an ambulance to gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari and was running allegedly on fake documents has been sealed by the police, police said. 

 Mukhtar Ansari ambulance case: Hospital owned by Mau doctor sealed

Lucknow (The Hawk): Due to the failure to provide the Diwali presents to the staff of 108 and 102 Emergency Medical Transport Services (East Uttar Pradesh) (ambulance services) despite receiving money in advance, two businesses have been charged with criminal breach of trust.
On Wednesday, Kamalakannan S., a senior official at GVK EMRI, filed a complaint that led to the case being opened at Ashiana police station.
The companies, HMF Industries Moradabad and Taj Traders Rakabganj, are accused of receiving cash for giving jackets to the staff members of the 108 ambulance services as Diwali gifts.
The goods had to be delivered to the department by October 15 in accordance with the contract.
The company had the amount cashed in the bank while keeping the department in the dark.
As many as 20,000 employees have been upset and disappointed by their actions for not receiving the Diwali gift, according to Kamalakannan.
(Inputs from Agencies)

Due to the failure to provide the Diwali presents to the staff of 108 and 102 Emergency Medical Transport Services (East Uttar Pradesh) (ambulance services) despite receiving money in advance, two businesses have been charged with criminal breach of trust.

2 UP firms fined for late Diwali gifts

Thiruvananthapuram (The Hawk): The authorities in charge of the ambulance service at the Trissur district hospital were astounded to discover that a 15-year-old boy had driven an ambulance 8 kilometres through the city's dense population.
The event occurred Monday night. According to authorities, the youngster is the son of a hospital employee who sought treatment for a fever.
Since everyone knew the youngster, he was able to move around without difficulty. He observed the ambulance parked on hospital grounds and observed the key within. Almost immediately, he entered the vehicle and proceeded into the city.
The trouble began when the vehicle abruptly stopped, and on noticing that the driver was a kid, spectators contacted the police.
Since the service is administered online, the Kerala State Medical Service Corporation quickly realised that one of their ambulances was operating without authorization. After discovering the ambulance, they also rushed to the scene.
The Trissur East Police station has opened an investigation.
The registered driver of the ambulance has been requested to provide an explanation and served with a notice.
(Inputs from Agencies)

The authorities in charge of the ambulance service at the Trissur district hospital were astounded to discover that a 15-year-old boy had driven an ambulance 8 kilometres through the city's dense population.

In Kerala, a 15-year-old takes an ambulance for a spin and drives 8 km

Hassan, Karnataka (The Hawk): After being bitten by a snake in this district, a five-year-old kid died as a result of the ambulance's late arrival, according to sources on Saturday.
Rohan, a native of the Doddakalluru village close to Sakleshpur taluk, has been identified as the deceased youngster. The townspeople and the victim's relatives have criticised the authorities for the ambulance's tardy arrival, which caused a delay that led to the death.
Police claim that Rohan was bitten by a snake while on the grounds of an Anganwadi (government preschool). The physicians at the close-by Hettur government hospital directed his father to Sakleshpur town hospital and instructed him to wait for the ambulance after his father took him there on his bike.
The child had passed out while waiting for the paramedics. The boy was being transported by the parents in an attempt to take him to Sakleshpur's taluk hospital.
The youngster was transferred from the automobile to the ambulance after it arrived in the middle of the road. When the parents arrived at Sakleshpur Taluk Hospital, they were instructed to transport the boy to the Hassan District Hospital.
Despite receiving care, the boy passed away at the hospital.
Angry villagers said that the fatality was caused by a lack of ambulance service.
A case investigation is currently underway.
(Inputs from Agencies)

After being bitten by a snake in this district, a five-year-old kid died as a result of the ambulance's late arrival, according to sources on Saturday. Rohan, a native of the Doddakalluru village close to Sakleshpur taluk, has been identified as the deceased youngster. The townspeople and the victim's relatives have criticised the authorities for the ambulance's tardy arrival, which caused a delay that led to the death.

Snake-bitten K'taka boy dies due to ambulance wait

After being bitten by a snake in this district, a five-year-old kid died as a result of the ambulance's late arrival, according to sources on Saturday.
Rohan, a native of the Doddakalluru village close to Sakleshpur taluk, has been identified as the deceased youngster. The townspeople and the victim's relatives have criticised the authorities for the ambulance's tardy arrival, which caused a delay that led to the death.

Rishikesh (The Hawk): A serious patient or an accident victim trapped in an emergency can now be brought directly to AIIMS through a Heli-ambulance for immediate treatment in the state of Uttarakhand. AIIMS Rishikesh is going to start this facility in March 2023. AIIMS Rishikesh is the first government health institution in the country, where the facility of Heli ambulance will work. AIIMS Rishikesh will run this very beneficial service for the hill state of Uttarakhand from its level.
In the state of Uttarakhand, which has odd geographical conditions during road accidents and disasters that happen from time to time, the seriously injured do not get proper treatment on time. But now such serious patients will not have to face the challenges of reaching the hospital in time. Heli-ambulance will now be sent from AIIMS Rishikesh to pick up such emergency patients and the patient in distress will be air-lifted and immediately brought to the trauma center of AIIMS.
Prof. (Dr.) Meenu Singh, Executive Director AIIMS Rishikesh said about this scheme that the helicopter will be made available to AIIMS by the month of February by the Center Ministry of Civil Aviation. It will be the endeavor of AIIMS that a serious patient or a seriously injured person can be taken to AIIMS within half an hour from any area of Uttarakhand. she said that AIIMS itself will operate the Heli-Ambulance Service and in this regard, the Ministry has completed correspondence and testing of other standards. It is noteworthy that AIIMS Rishikesh has a helipad facility and 3 helicopters can land here at the same time.
Dr. Meenu Singh said that the technical staff for Heli Ambulance Service will be arranged by the Civil Aviation Department. While all other arrangements related to operations including doctors and nursing officers are to be done by AIIMS. However, she also said that before starting the service, a comprehensive system needs to be made to locate the concerned injured or patient trapped in trouble in the remote area of the mountain. Dr. Madhur Uniyal, in charge of Heli Service in AIIMS Rishikesh and surgeon of the trauma department, said that the trauma helpline number 18001804278 is already working for the convenience of emergency patients in the trauma department of AIIMS. Now work is going on to set up a call center for Heli-ambulance service as well. So that the attendant of the patient in trouble can call on the concerned number of AIIMS for Heli ambulance.

A serious patient or an accident victim trapped in an emergency can now be brought directly to AIIMS through a Heli-ambulance for immediate treatment in the state of Uttarakhand. AIIMS Rishikesh is going to start this facility in March 2023. AIIMS Rishikesh is the first government health institution in the country, where the facility of Heli ambulance will work. 

AIIMS Rishikesh First To Launch Heli-Ambulance For Emergency Patients By March 23

Dehradun News (The Hawk):The construction of a flyover on NH 34, which started six to eight months ago from Shri Udaseen Bramhanirvaan Aashram, has been causing immense traffic congestion in the region. The route covers three major cities - Haridwar, Rishikesh, and Dehradun, making it a vital link for commuters and tourists alike. However, the ongoing construction has led to long and frustrating traffic jams during peak hours, leading to inconvenience and hardship for locals and tourists alike.

According to reports, the evening time is the peak time when people witness the most massive traffic jam in the region. The situation is so dire that even ambulances face difficulty navigating through the congested roads, often taking up to one to two hours to reach their destination.

Despite the prolonged construction period, there is no clear timeline for when the project will be completed. The uncertainty has led to frustration among residents, who are increasingly losing patience and demanding prompt action from the authorities.
The big question on everyone's mind is whether the flyover will provide relief to citizens and outsiders from the massive traffic congestion once it is completed. However, there is no clear answer to this yet, as the construction work is still ongoing, and the impact of the flyover on traffic flow remains to be seen.

In conclusion, the ongoing construction of the flyover on NH 34 is causing significant traffic woes for locals and tourists in the region. The lack of clarity on when the construction work will be completed and the uncertainty over the impact of the flyover is adding to the frustration of the people. It is high time that the authorities take swift action to address the issue and ensure smooth traffic flow on this crucial route. - Chirag Kaul

Ongoing Flyover Construction on NH 34 causes traffic woes for Locals and Tourists 

Patna News: In the last 24 hours, Bihar recorded 38 new Covid-19 cases amid an ongoing resurgence.

Of the new cases, 17 were reported from Patna, six from Bhagalpur and three each from Gaya and Munger.

The health department had conducted tests of 32,302 samples on Monday.

With the new figure, the number of total active cases in the state stood 174.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has directed hospitals across Bihar to make adequate arrangements of medicines, hospital beds, ventilators, oxygen cylinders, ambulances and other necessary equipment to combat Covid-19.

Medical experts have however, claimed that the severity of the virus is not intense this time, but people have been advised to follow Covid protocols like washing their hands, taking steam at least once or twice in every 24 hours, wearing masks and maintaining social distance. IANS

In the last 24 hours, Bihar recorded 38 new Covid-19 cases amid an ongoing resurgence.

Bihar logs 38 new Covid cases in 24 hours

Meerut: It took only 2 minutes and 20 seconds for a patient to be taken from an ambulance to the emergency bed and start his treatment during a mock drill at Lala Lajpat Rai Medical College in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday.
During the mock drill, the hospital showed a remarkable ability of how a critical covid patient can be quickly admitted to an emergency bed with all necessary facilities for the treatment such as oxygen cylinders. In fact, in the mock drill, it took only 2 minutes and 20 seconds for the patient to be taken out from an ambulance to the emergency bed and start his treatment.
World Health Organisation (WHO) official Dr Priya Bansal inspected the mock drill that reaffirmed the hospital's ability to deal with a possible surge in covid patients. All necessary medicines to treat a covid patient were found available in the hospital. And oxygen generation plants of 1000 LPM capacity were running without any glitches.
Talking about the arrangements in the Medical college for treating more covid patients the hospital's doctor Tharun Pal said," 200 beds are ready in the emergency Covid ward in the medical college. Oxygen and 5 ventilators have also been arranged on all beds. If the number of covid patients increases, then 200 beds of the super speciality block will be converted into Covid Hospital."
There has been an increase in covid cases in India in recent days reason for which The Union Ministry of Health &amp; Family Welfare, in a statement said: "Maybe the relaxation of Covid-19 appropriate behaviour and many people lowering their guard against the coronavirus".
As per data from the Ministry of Health &amp; Family Welfare, GOI, on Sunday India recorded 5,357 fresh Covid-19 Cases with 11 deaths and approximately 1,57,894 tests have been done.
The recovery rate was at 98.75 per cent. Covid-19-related deaths are mostly reported in people above 60 years, and those with lifestyle diseases like diabetes etc, the statement said.&nbsp;
—ANI

It took only 2 minutes and 20 seconds for a patient to be taken from an ambulance to the emergency bed and start his treatment during a mock drill at Lala Lajpat Rai Medical College in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday.

Covid Mock Drill In Meerut: It Takes 2 Min, 20 Sec To Take Patient Out From Ambulance, Start Treatment

Kalaburagi (Karnataka): Former Karnataka minister Baburao Chinchansur, who recently joined Congress from BJP, was injured in a car accident in the city on Saturday.

While Chinchansur suffered serious injuries on face and legs, his gunman and the car driver escaped with minor injuries. He is undergoing treatment at the United hospital.

He is contesting from Gurmitkal constituency in Kalaburagi district on Congress ticket.

According to police, Chinchansur was travelling from Yadgir district to Kalaburagi at 1 a.m after campaigning. Near Akashwani building, his car turned turtle when the driver attempted to avoid a big pothole.

The locals rushed to the spot and rushed the Congress leader to a hospital in an ambulance. His condition is stated to be out of danger and he is responding well to the treatment, doctors said.

Chinchansur is a leader from Koli community and has vowed to defeat BJP in Hyderabad -Karnataka region.

He had played an important role in the defeat of AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge in 2019 Lok Sabha elections. IANS

Former Karnataka minister Baburao Chinchansur, who recently joined Congress from BJP, was injured in a car accident in the city on Saturday.

Ex-K'taka minister Baburao Chinchansur injured in car accident

New Delhi: Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bhardwaj on Wednesday said that as many as 106 fully-equipped ambulances have been readied with all advanced facilities that will remain on 24-hour high alert to tackle any medical emergency during the forthcoming G20 Summit.   The Health Minister said this while chairing a meeting of top officials of the Delhi Health Department, and senior officials of the various hospitals under it, to review the healthcare arrangements being made for the summit.  “In light of the G20 Summit, the Delhi government has placed five major government hospitals and three private hospitals on high alert to ensure the healthcare arrangements are in place. These include primarily Lok Nayak Hospital, GB Pant Hospital, GTB Hospital, Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital, Babasaheb Ambedkar Hospital, along with Primus Hospital Chanakyapuri, Max Hospital Saket, and Manipal Hospital Dwarka," he said.
Bhardwaj further said that the Lok Nayak Hospital has reserved 20 beds, GB Pant Hospital 10 beds, GTB Hospital 20 beds, Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital 65 beds, and Babasaheb Ambedkar Hospital has reserved 40 beds for addressing any situation that may arise during the summit.  He said that while this preparation is based on priority, all hospitals are also on alert in case any need arises.  The Health Minister noted that arrangements have been made for foreign guests coming for the summit to stay in various hotels across Delhi. "Keeping this arrangement in mind, 80 teams of doctors and nursing staff formed. These teams will serve all guests in these 25 hotels. Out of these 80 teams, 75 teams will work in shifts," he said.  Each hotel has been assigned three teams, each working in eight-hour shifts. These teams will remain dedicated to serving our incoming guests 24/7 according to their respective time schedules, Bhardwaj said.  "Not only hospitals and medical teams have been prepared for the health arrangements of incoming foreign guests for the G20 Summit, but also a total of 106 fully-equipped ambulances have been readied with all advanced facilities. These 106 ambulances will remain on 24-hour high alert," he added.  In case of any medical emergency, as soon as the information is received, these ambulances will promptly transport the patient to the hospital, Bhardwaj said.  The G20 Summit is scheduled to be held in Delhi on September 9 and 10.
—IANS

Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bhardwaj on Wednesday said that as many as 106 fully-equipped ambulances have been readied with all advanced facilities that will remain on 24-hour high alert to tackle any medical emergency during the forthcoming G20 Summit. 

G20 Summit: Over 100 'advanced' ambulances to remain on high alert for any medical emergency

Barwani (Madhya Pradesh): A 27-year-old pregnant woman gave birth on the roadside when an ambulance couldn't reach her house due to damaged roads and a flooded drain at a village in Madhya Pradesh's Barwani district.  Reportedly, the incident took place in Khamghat village, Pansemal tehsil, on Saturday evening.&nbsp;
The woman was transported to the hospital while wrapped in a cloth, and she delivered the baby during the journey.&nbsp;
Brother of the woman Thakur said, “My sister suffered labor pain after which we called the ambulance but due to poor road and overflowing drain, the ambulance could not reach the home. Then we wrapped her in a cloth and carried her across an overflowing drain to the hospital but on the way she gave birth to a baby.”  After walking for around three to four kilometers, the family managed to get the ambulance and reach the Community Health Center, Pansemal. After primary treatment, she was referred to Barwani District Hospital.  Doctor at Community Health Center Pansemal, Amrit Bamanke said, “A woman was taken in an ambulance around 6 pm on Saturday. We provided her with primary treatment. She had already given birth, we had only removed her placenta here after which she was referred to the district hospital.”  Both mother and child were admitted to Barwani district hospital and they were in healthy condition.  Nonetheless, the woman’s brother Thakur also claimed that they placed their demands to repair the road but none paid attention. They also alleged that it was not the first such incident, and added that around two to three women from his family also delivered a baby on the roadside in a similar situation in the past.
—ANI

A 27-year-old pregnant woman gave birth on the roadside when an ambulance couldn't reach her house due to damaged roads and a flooded drain

MP: Pregnant woman delivers baby on roadside in Barwani village

Uttarkashi (Uttarakhand): The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has completed construction of a road near the Silkyara site to enable machines to pass through to rescue the 41 workers trapped for the past 11 days inside the 4.5 tunnel, a portion of which collapsed on November 12. Major Naman Narula of BRO told ANI that the road construction work on the hill from the upper part of the tunnel to the marked place on the tunnel where the drilling work will be done has been completed.
"Around 1,200 metres of road has been constructed. Two drilling machine vehicles have also reached the tunnel site. We have constructed the track within 48 hours..." Major Narula said. As per workers engaged in the road construction work, some light machinery has been moved up and efforts are on to make the roads deeper so that they can be used to transport heavy machines. Lacchu Raut, a BRO worker told ANI, "Light machinery was moved up yesterday. The work of building a road on the hill above the tunnel is being completed. Today we will repair the road and make sure that there is no difficulty in moving the machines to the tunnel site." The collapse occurred on November 12 during the construction of the tunnel from Silkyara to Barkot, and the debris that fell in a 60-metre stretch on the Silkyara side of the tunnel trapped 41 workers.  A National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) official said that on November 12, the tunnel caved in and that the other Barkot side of the tunnel was already closed, as work on that side had not yet started. On Tuesday, rescuers attempted 'horizontal drilling' and fed trapped workers with solid cooked food simultaneously. A total of five agencies--Oil and Natual Gas Corporation (ONGC), Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam (SJVN), Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL), National Highways &amp; Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), and Tehri Hydro Development Corporation (THDCL)-- have been assigned specific responsibilities to evacuate the 41 labourers who have been trapped in the 2-km-built portion of the under-construction structure. Meanwhile four ambulances are already at the site and 35 ambulances are on standby to shift the workers once they are rescued.  "At present four ambulances are present at the site and around 35 ambulances have been sent to the site from different districts. Due to lack of parking facility here, they will be parked at some distance and will be called to the site after being alerted four hours in advance," Naveen, the driver of the ambulance said. The ambulances are equipped with facilities like oxygen ventilators and life support systems. "Our ambulance has all kinds of facilities like oxygen ventilator and life support system. As soon as people are rescued from here, we will take them to the nearest hospital in our ambulance. At present it is being said that the trapped workers will be taken to the district hospital of Uttarkashi, although this is not confirmed, as soon as the administration takes a decision and we get orders, we will shift all the labourers there," Harish, an ambulance staff said.
—ANI

The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has completed construction of a road near the Silkyara site to enable machines to pass through to rescue

Uttarkashi Rescue Ops: BRO completes hill top road to access Silkyara tunnel for vertical drilling

Uttarkashi: Inching closer to their goal, rescuers have inserted wide pipes up to 45 metres through the rubble and will have to drill another around 12 metres to reach the 41 workers trapped inside the collapsed tunnel in Silkyara for 10 days, officials said Wednesday afternoon. The authorities have also made elaborate healthcare arrangements for the workers as and when they crawl out through the pipe. Speaking to reporters at the site around 4.30 pm, former advisor to the prime minister's office Bhaskar Khulbe said, "We are very happy to inform you that (drilling of) a length of six metres has been achieved over the past one hour. Hopefully the next two-three hours will be comfortable in terms of assembling for the next push and attaining what all of us are waiting for. I hope that when we assemble again at 8 pm we have some similar good news to share with you." He has been regularly briefing the media on the rescue efforts. NHIDCL MD Mahmood Ahmed and Khulbe had told reporters earlier in the day that 39 metres had been drilled through the rubble to lay three 800-mm diametre pipes. Rescuers have to drill up to around 57 metres in total to reach the trapped workers who have been stranded on the other side of the rubble since November 12. On the healthcare arrangements, officials said a team of 15 doctors have been deployed. An eight-bed hospital has been prepared in the control room. Several ambulances and a helicopter have been kept on standby, they said. —PTI

Inching closer to their goal, rescuers have inserted wide pipes up to 45 metres through the rubble and will have to drill another around 12 metres

Uttarakhand Tunnel Collapse: Drilling Completed Up To 45 Metres, 12 More Metres To Go

Uttarkashi: As Wednesday marked day 11 of the operation to rescue 41 workers trapped inside the Silkyara tunnel in Uttarakhand's Uttarkashi district, the officials are 'hopeful' to rescue the victims at the earliest. The collapse occurred on November 12 during the construction of the tunnel from Silkyara to Barkot, and the debris that fell in a 60-metre stretch on the Silkyara side of the tunnel trapped 41 workers. A National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) official said that on November 12, the tunnel caved in and that the other Barkot side of the tunnel was already closed, as work on that side had not yet started. Sunita Hembram, the family member of a trapped worker, while speaking to ANI said that she had a conversation with her brother-in-law who is trapped in the tunnel and informed her about his well-being. "I had a conversation with my brother-in-law who is trapped here. He is stable and healthy. The workers have received food, clothes and other items. Hopefully, they will be rescued by the morning tomorrow. The doctors also had a conversation with the trapped workers..." Sunita said. Meanwhile, Additional Secretary Technical, Road and Transport Mahmood Ahmed said that the 'big news' is expected to be received tonight or tomorrow morning. "If there are no obstacles, some big news may be received tonight or tomorrow morning. An iron rod has also come along with the debris. It is a matter of happiness that this iron in the middle of laying the pipeline did not create any problems for us..." Ahmed said. He also said that an additional 800 mm pipe has also been pushed 21 metres inside the tunnel "An additional 800 mm pipe has also been pushed 21 metres inside the tunnel. Around 12:45 am, we started drilling through the auger machine and so far, we have pushed three more pipes...As long as we reach 45-50 metres inside the tunnel, we will not be able to give you the exact time. We are also doing horizontal drilling, we have entered around 8 metres from there as well..." the official told the reporters. L&amp;T Safety Head, Nigel Wirtz said, "The current situation is that they are drilling a way....Hopefully, they are going to break through... It looks like it is going to happen.....We are also assisting with the micro-tunneling as well... The job has to be done correctly and in a systematic way." National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) Second in Command Ravi S Badhani told ANI that the rescuers are "very close" to the victims. "The rescue operation is going really well. A good horizontal drill is happening... According to my knowledge, we are very close to victims now... It's difficult to give a time frame, but it's time-consuming... The situation of the trapped worker is fine. They were given the morning breakfast. Communication is well established. They are talking nicely to their family members. Their morale is high..." he said. Former advisor to the Prime Minister's Office, Bhaskar Khulbe and Uttarkashi District Magistrate Abhishek Ruhela arrived at the Silkyara Tunnel site earlier in the day. Vivek Srivastava, Commander 36 BRO said that the work on Barkot end will begin today. "The machinery has reached the site at the Silkyara end and the drilling has started there...The work on Barkot end will begin today," he said. Earlier in the morning, Major Naman Narula of BRO told ANI that the road construction work on the hill from the upper part of the tunnel to the marked place on the tunnel where the drilling work will be done has been completed. "Around 1,200 metres of road has been constructed. Two drilling machine vehicles have also reached the tunnel site. We have constructed the track within 48 hours..." Major Narula said. He further said that at the end of the track, two vertical drills are yet to be done. "Our task was to give an access road for vertical drilling which was at the Silkyara end of the tunnel wherein a track of 1150 m was to be created which we did and hand it over on November 20... At the end of the track, two vertical drills are to be done, and one machinery has reached the site out of two...Our second task was to give an access road towards Barkot which is the other end of the tunnel so the survey for that ended yesterday and the machinery has reached the ground today..." he added. When the rescuers continued their operation on the 11th day, people offered prayers at a temple that had been built at the main entrance of the tunnel. On Tuesday, rescuers attempted 'horizontal drilling' and fed trapped workers with solid cooked food simultaneously. A total of five agencies--Oil and Natual Gas Corporation (ONGC), Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam (SJVN), Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL), National Highways &amp; Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), and Tehri Hydro Development Corporation (THDCL)-- have been assigned specific responsibilities to evacuate the 41 labourers who have been trapped in the 2-km-built portion of the under-construction structure. As many as four ambulances have been brought to the site of the tunnel collapse after the request was made for 40 ambulances. The remaining ambulances are to be brought soon from Dehradun. "At present four ambulances are present at the site and around 35 ambulances have been sent to the site from different districts. Due to lack of parking facility here, they will be parked at some distance and will be called to the site after being alerted four hours in advance," Naveen, the driver of one of the ambulances said. —ANI

As Wednesday marked day 11 of the operation to rescue 41 workers trapped inside the Silkyara tunnel in Uttarakhand's Uttarkashi district

Worker Trapped In Slikyara Tunnel Tells Family He Is 'Safe And Healthy' Even As Rescue Operations Continue

Uttarkashi: All 41 workers trapped in the Silkyara tunnel are practising yoga and other exercises while rescuers work to create an escape route, according to Jaymal Singh Negi, brother of Gabbar Singh Negi - one of the men stranded for 12 days. Negi also expressed hope for 'good news' soon. On November 12, a section of the under-construction tunnel from Silkyara to Barkot collapsed, trapping 41 labourers in debris on the Silkyara side. The trapped workers are in a 2 km-built portion, complete with concrete work for their safety. Among the trapped labourers, two each are from Uttarakhand and Assam, one from Himachal, eight from Uttar Pradesh, five each from Bihar and Odisha, three from West Bengal, and 15 others are from Jharkhand. While speaking to ANI, Jaymal Singh Negi mentioned that his brother informed him about the trapped men engaging in yoga and exercises inside the tunnel. He also advised his brother to continue these activities. "I advised my brother to keep doing yoga, exercise and walking, and he said yes, we are doing it," Negi said. Earlier in the day, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami visited the rescue site. He spoke to Gabbar Singh Negi and another worker, Saba Ahmed, to inquire about their well-being. Dhami updated them on the ongoing rescue operation and prayed for the well-being of all trapped workers. Rescuers, using an American auger machine, resumed drilling on Tuesday and, by late Wednesday night, drilled through 45 meters of the 60-meter debris stretch blocking the Sikyara side of the tunnel. Lt General (Rtd) Syed Ata Hasnain of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) likened the rescue operation to a "war" with unpredictable timelines. "This operation is just like a war situation where one keeps guessing about enemy moves," he said. He further mentioned that in this operation 'Himalayan geology' is the enemy. Inspector-General of Police Garhwal Range KS Nagnyal also mentioned that the rescue's duration is uncertain due to machinery work. "The attempt at the rescue is in progress and rescue is expected to be carried out very soon. It is machinery work so a stipulated time can't be decided. The rescue work will go on at night as well," IG said. A total of 41 ambulances are stationed at the Silkyara tunnel site, with 31 from '108' and 10 provided by the administration, as informed by Mukesh Nautiyal, the project manager of the Operation 108 Ambulance initiative. —ANI

All 41 workers trapped in the Silkyara tunnel are practising yoga and other exercises while rescuers work to create an escape route

Trapped Workers 'Doing Yoga' Amid Rescue Efforts; Relatives Hope For 'Good News' In Silkyara Tunnel Ordeal

Bengaluru: A one-and-a-half-year old boy has succumbed to head injuries allegedly due to the apathy of the authorities at the Bengaluru-based National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (Nimhans) even as a 224-km 'green corridor' was arranged all the way from Hassan to Bengaluru.  The ambulance driver managed to cover the 224 km distance from Hassan to Bengaluru in 1 hour and 40 minutes, and reached Nimhans.  The deceased child of Venkatesh and Jyothi, residents of Basavanagudi in Chikkamagaluru, had suffered a head injury at home and was admitted to the district hospital in Hassan.  The doctors had suggested taking the baby to Nimhans.  The doctors made a call to the administration unit in Nimhans and informed them about the urgent treatment requirements of the baby.  However, the Nimhans authorities had told the parents that there was no bed available.  Even as the parents pleaded for the bed and commencement of the treatment, the authorities allegedly did not respond.  The baby eventually succumbed to injuries in the hospital premises.  The incident has created a public outrage and Nimhans authorities were slammed for turning a blind eye to the emergency situation resulting in the death of the boy.  Reacting to the incident, Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao said the arrangements were "not proper" at the Nimhans. "It is too crowded. The authorities are ensuring quality treatment despite the pressure. We have to bring down their pressure. I will gather more information about the death of the kid," he said.
—IANS

A one-and-a-half-year old boy has succumbed to head injuries allegedly due to the apathy of the authorities at the Bengaluru-based National Institute

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