Uttarakhand Tunnel Crash: Who Is Professor Arnold Dix? Why GoI Is Seeking His Help In This Rescue Mission

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On 12 November, a portion of an under-construction tunnel between Silkyara and Dandalgaon on the Brahmakhal-Yamunotri National Highway collapsed, trapping around 41 workers inside. They are from Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Odisha, Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh.

Immediately, personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and police launched a search and rescue operation after being informed of the accident. Rescuers are reported to be making escape paths as augur machines to clear obstructions in the form of iron mesh. The vertical drilling has been prepared but it came to a halt.

#WATCH | Uttarkashi (Uttarakhand) tunnel rescue operation | International Tunneling Expert, Arnold Dix says, "The vertical drilling is all prepared, as in all the sites prepared, the access roads prepared, everythings prepared, and decisions being taken shortly about what to do… pic.twitter.com/wSHvTXYI8C

— ANI (@ANI) November 23, 2023

But, you need to know about the man who is behind this rescue mission. Let us know who Professor Arnold Dix is and why the Government of India is seeking his help to rescue the 41 trapped workers inside the tunnel.

Professor Arnold Dix is a globally acclaimed expert in tunnel safety and disaster investigations. He is the President of International Tunnelling Underground Space. In the Uttarakhand tunnel crash, he is at the forefront of this complex rescue mission due to his expertise in navigating challenging underground situations.

Dix's role in the current situation is extremely pivotal as he is known for his insights into tunnel safety and disaster management. It is his expertise to intuitively understand the nuances of each project. Previously, he has achieved success with similar missions and now everyone is hoping to see success in the Uttarakhand tunnel crash situation as well.

He says, that the current Uttarakhand tunnel collapse situation is promising and with careful planning, the underlying risks can be eliminated. This rescue mission, which is totally a race against time involves 'micro tunnelling and other innovative strategies.

Professor Dix's career reflects his significant contributions to tunnel safety worldwide. In 2011, he received the Alan Neyland Australasian Tunnelling Society bi-annual award for excellence in tunnelling, specifically in tunnel fire safety. His techniques and efforts in enhancing fire safety in tunnels have been recognized as groundbreaking.

Last year in 2022, he was honoured with a Committee Service Award by the National Fire Protection Association of the United States of America, which is a testament to his continuous and valuable service in developing codes and standards for tunnel safety.