Uttarkashi: As the rescue efforts gain momentum, Milind Raj, a robotics expert, highlighted on Monday that the use of domestically developed technology to monitor the mental health of stranded workers in the Silkyara tunnel through robots.
“I am here for the mental well-being of the 41 workers stuck in the Silkyara tunnel. This is a homegrown indigenous technology. Now the robots will monitor their mental health. We have systems to monitor the health of workers round-the-clock,” Milind Raj said.
“Internet service will also be provided. This rescue robotic system will help detect hazardous gases inside, like methane,” he added.
The robotic expert said that he held discussions with the officials engaged in the rescue operations regarding the ongoing rescue operation, adding that the team will implement the best possible solutions.
“This robotic system has three things. It has a gas detection system; apart from this, it will provide internet service and also monitor the health of the trapped labourers from a distance of 100 metres from its position,” he said.
“With the help of this, we can work to improve their mental condition. Before this, a building had collapsed in Lucknow, in which 14 people were saved alive. We used the same robotic system in the operations,” he added.
He asserted that the system will be set up soon and work will also start in a few hours.
“One machine will remain here and our sensors will go ahead at a distance of 100 metres, which will give us their inputs. Very soon we will set up our system here and the work will start,” Milind Raj said.
A delegation led by Principal Secretary to Prime Minister, Pramod Kumar Mishra took stock of ongoing efforts to rescue the trapped workers in the tunnel.
Earlier, after a portion of the tunnel caved in on November 12, the debris falling in the 60-metre stretch on the Silkyara side of the tunnel trapped 41 labourers inside the under-construction structure.