Breakthrough anticipated in Uttarakhand tunnel rescue as 'Rat Miners' engage in manual drilling

A team of skilled labourers known as "rat miners," commenced the process of manual drilling of the collapsed tunnel on Monday, following the removal of sections of the damaged auger machine from within the tunnel. The team of “rat miners” specializes in drilling narrow shafts as part of a rudimentary approach to coal extraction.

“We are still mining. We have got a couple of more metres to go...We are expecting to see some results by 5 pm. 2-3 metres are left,” Micro tunneling expert Chris Cooper said.

The family members of the 41 trapped workers have been advised to "stay prepared" as rescuers have announced their proximity, being just five meters away from the individuals. Once rescued, the workers are slated to be transported to a hospital in Uttarkashi. The anxious families are eagerly anticipating the conclusion of the rescue operation, eagerly awaiting the reunion with their loved ones.

In the past course of action, machine drilling alternatives have been depleted and approximately five meters remain to reach the trapped workers, officials have indicated that manual drilling is the sole viable course of action. Rescue operations had faced a temporary halt for three days after encountering a malfunction in a US-manufactured auger machine. This machine was deployed to drill and insert pipes through the debris, facilitating the creation of an escape passage for the trapped workers. Ongoing rescue efforts to rescue the workers have been unsuccessful in the past, primarily due to challenges posed by the topography and the characteristics of the rocks in the region.

According to officials, despite being trapped for over two weeks, the workers remain mentally stable and physically fit.​