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.