Australian Tunnelling Expert's Optimism Shines in Uttarakhand Tunnel Rescue, Anand Mahindra Praises 'Masterclass'

Silkyara: India's billionaire and Chairman of the Mahindra Group, Anand Mahindra applauds Australian drilling expert Arnold Dix, who is currently handling the Uttarkashi tunnel rescue operation. Anand Mahindra took to X(formally) on Tuesday, praising Arnold Dix, he wrote, "Here's an Australian giving us a master class."

Sharing Arnold's video on X, he also said, "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 video, Dix expresses optimism about the ongoing situation, stating, "It’s like an epic from 3000 years! A mountain has taken 41 good workers, but keeping them warm, allowing food pipes, emergency services.”

“We, as the people, are saying give us our children back,” he adds. Dix said mountain opens its gate, we reach our workers and suddenly the door closes. Locals have established a small temple of the local deity at the tunnel site, where Dix was seen praying and interacting with priests. He can be seen praying for the safety of the trapped workers. In the video, the Australian rescuer expresses his complete humility towards the universe.

Dix's composed and relaxed demeanour in such a stressful rescue scenario has garnered praise on social media.

Professor Arnold Dix specialises in underground infrastructure and construction risk, globally recognised for his expertise in tunnelling. He was awarded with Alan Neyland Tunnelling Society award in 2011 for tunnel fire safety excellence. He has a multi-disciplinary career spanning engineering, geology, law, and risk management over three decades.

The rescuers are employing the "rat-hole" mining technique to clear the last remaining meters of debris, and the placement of pipes in the tunnel to facilitate the rescue of the trapped workers has been successfully finished. Four workers are rescued. The Community Health Centre is situated 30 km away from the tunnel. Additionally, a Chinook helicopter is on standby to airlift the workers once they are rescued from the Silkyara tunnel.

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) reported that the rescue operations have inched closer as the pipe needs to be pushed for another two meters to reach the 41 workers trapped in the Silkyara tunnel for 17 days.