On Tuesday, NDMA stated that they are on the verge of a significant breakthrough, but have not yet achieved it. The evacuation of 41 workers from Uttarkashi's Silkyara tunnel is expected to take three to four hours to reach workers, according to NDMA. All teams, including NDRF, SDRF, and medical professionals, are on standby to rescue the workers who have been trapped for 17 days.

"Work of laying pipes in the tunnel to take out workers has been completed," Uttarakhand state CM Pushkar Singh posted on the X social media platform, thanking the Hindu deity, Baba Baukh Nag Ji, as well as the millions of Indians who prayed for the men and the tireless rescuers.

"Soon, all the labourer brothers will be taken out."

The use of the prohibited "rat-hole" mining technique was necessary to complete the drilling process after the high-tech machines failed to penetrate 60 meters of rock on Friday. Despite the removal of the broken auger drilling machine from the rubble, 12 experts in rat-hole mining were required to complete the final stretch of drilling using handheld tools in a confined space. According to NDMA Member Lt Gen (retd) Syed Ata Hasnain, the rescue operation has progressed with 58 meters of drilling completed, and the rescue pipe only needs to be pushed another two meters towards the trapped workers.

The Centre's ambitious Char Dham project in Uttarakhand includes a 4.5 km tunnel that aims to provide all-weather connectivity between the prominent Hindu shrines of Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri. This tunnel, also known as the Silkyara tunnel, is located on the route connecting Silkyara and Dandalgaon in Uttarkashi district. It is a double-lane tunnel and one of the longest under the Char Dham project. Currently, approximately 2.4 km of the tunnel from the Silkyara side and 1.75 km from the other side have been constructed. Once completed, the tunnel is expected to reduce travel time by an hour.

Why has the practice of rat-hole mining been prohibited?

This method poses a significant risk to the safety of miners and has negative impacts on the environment. Rat-hole mining has been associated with various ecological problems, including river acidification, deforestation, soil erosion, and disturbance of local ecosystems.

How did the Uttarakhand tunnel collapse?

The ordeal began on November 12 as the workers were stuck for two weeks after a part of the tunnel collapsed due to a landslide on the Brahmkhal-Yamunotri highway. According to the preliminary findings, the collapse may have been caused by a geological fault, known as a "shear zone".

^{Photo: Hindustan Times}

Read Also: Uttarkashi Tunnel Rescue: An Overview So Far

Arnold Dix, the tunnel expert who came to India for the Uttarkashi rescue

The government went all out to save 41 workers who were trapped inside Uttarkashi's Silkyara tunnel since November 12 by enlisting the help of international tunnelling specialist Arnold Dix. Dix, who leads the International Tunnelling and Underground Space Association (Geneva), is renowned for taking legal, environmental, political, and ethical risks associated with underground construction. Today, the Australian expert expressed his satisfaction as reports emerged that the rescue mission was close to being accomplished, thanks to the efforts of rat-hole mining experts who were able to excavate the last few meters of debris.

They successfully drilled through the 60-meter section of the collapsed Silkyara tunnel on Tuesday, exceeding expectations. Dix expressed his admiration for the progress of the rescue operation, describing it as "fantastic." He also mentioned that the plasma cutter has significantly enhanced the cutting speed of the auger parts stuck in the rubble.

(With Input from agencies)

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