Rescue Operations Continue for Workers Trapped in Indian Tunnel

Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand India
    41 construction workers have been trapped in a tunnel in the Indian Himalayas for over two weeks.
    Authorities have now resorted to 'rat mining', a primitive and hazardous method used in India mostly to remove coal deposits through narrow passages.
    High-powered machines initially deployed for the rescue operation failed due to the challenging mountainous terrain.
    The operation, now on its 16th day, involves vertical drilling through the mountain, a process that could take several days.
    The workers were working on the Char Dham highway project, one of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's most ambitious projects.

    In a tragic incident that has gripped the nation, 41 construction workers have been trapped in a tunnel in the Indian Himalayas for over two weeks. The workers, hailing from different states and primarily from India's poorer regions, were working on the Char Dham highway project, one of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's most ambitious projects. The tunnel is part of a road project aimed at providing quicker access to major Hindu shrines, a project that has faced criticism from environmentalists due to the fragile nature of the landscape.

    The workers have been trapped since November 12, when a landslide caused a portion of the tunnel to collapse. Rescue operations have been underway since then, but have faced multiple setbacks. High-powered machines initially deployed for the rescue operation failed due to the challenging mountainous terrain. An American auger that was used for horizontal drilling also faced difficulties.

    In response to these challenges, authorities have now resorted to 'rat mining', a primitive and hazardous method used in India mostly to remove coal deposits through narrow passages. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has announced that manual drilling will be employed with the help of Indian Army engineers and other technicians. The operation, now on its 16th day, involves vertical drilling through the mountain, a process that could take several days.

    Despite the setbacks, the rescue operation continues unabated, with Lieutenant General (Retd.) Syed Ata Hasnain, a member of NDMA, stating that the operation will continue even if it rains. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami is also reported to be travelling towards the site to observe the relief and rescue work.

    In the meantime, the trapped workers are being supplied with hot meals, water, and oxygen through pipes. The rescue teams are working tirelessly to ensure the safe return of the trapped workers, and the nation is united in hope and prayer for their safe rescue.


    Confidence

    100%

    No Doubts Found At Time Of Publication

    Sources

    98%

    • Unique Points
      • 'Rat miners' have been brought in to drill through a narrow pipe.
      • 'Rat mining' is a primitive, hazardous method used in India mostly to remove coal deposits through narrow passages.
      • The tunnel is part of the Char Dham highway, one of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's most ambitious projects.
    • Accuracy
      No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
    • Deception (100%)
      None Found At Time Of Publication
    • Fallacies (100%)
      None Found At Time Of Publication
    • Bias (100%)
      None Found At Time Of Publication
    • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
      None Found At Time Of Publication
    • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
      None Found At Time Of Publication

    97%

    • Unique Points
      • The rescuers have started to drill vertically with a newly replaced drilling machine after the previous one broke down due to the mountainous terrain.
      • The trapped workers are being supplied with hot meals and oxygen through pipes.
    • Accuracy
      No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
    • Deception (100%)
      None Found At Time Of Publication
    • Fallacies (100%)
      None Found At Time Of Publication
    • Bias (100%)
      None Found At Time Of Publication
    • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
      None Found At Time Of Publication
    • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
      None Found At Time Of Publication

    94%

    • Unique Points
      • The tunnel is part of a road project aimed at providing quicker access to major Hindu shrines, a project that has faced criticism from environmentalists due to the fragile nature of the landscape.
      • The majority of the trapped workers are from India's poorer states.
    • Accuracy
      No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
    • Deception (100%)
      None Found At Time Of Publication
    • Fallacies (100%)
      None Found At Time Of Publication
    • Bias (90%)
      • The tunnel is part of a road project intended to provide quicker access to four major Hindu shrines. Access to pilgrimage sites has been a big part of the agenda of the governing Hindu nationalist party.
      • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication

      97%

      • Unique Points
        • The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has announced that manual drilling will be employed with the help of Indian Army engineers and other technicians.
        • The workers trapped inside the tunnel are from different states and were working there in search of a livelihood.
      • Accuracy
        No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
      • Deception (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Fallacies (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Bias (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication

      97%

      • Unique Points
        • The operation, now on its 16th day, involves vertical drilling after an American auger faced challenges in horizontally drilling the tunnel.
        • The rescue operation will continue even if it rains, according to Lieutenant General (Retd.) Syed Ata Hasnain, a member of NDMA.
        • Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami is travelling towards the site to observe the relief and rescue work.
      • Accuracy
        No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
      • Deception (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Fallacies (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Bias (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication