In the ongoing rescue efforts at the tunnel in Uttarakhand, where 41 individuals have endured over two weeks trapped inside, a shift in strategy has emerged. With the American Augur Drill encountering repeated complications, authorities have initiated manual drilling procedures as a last resort to reach the stranded workers.
The Auger Drill, a pivotal tool in the operation, faced setbacks as its blades became entangled with debris from the tunnel’s ceiling, rendering it inoperable. Despite drilling around 46.8 meters, this machine was unable to surmount the hurdles, prompting officials to seek alternative methods.
Enter the “rat miners,” adept laborers experienced in the art of drilling narrow shafts—a technique traditionally used in primitive coal extraction. These skilled individuals have begun the arduous task of manual horizontal drilling in a bid to create an additional passageway to reach the trapped workers.
Officials disclosed that the vertical drilling, aimed at crafting an alternative route, has advanced 36 meters into the tunnel. However, given the limitations and failures of machine-based options, attention has turned toward labor-intensive manual drilling from both the top and side of the tunnel.
Neeraj Khairwal, Secretary of the Uttarakhand government, outlined the plan involving 24 rat miners working round the clock in three shifts to remove debris manually. The process involves maneuvering through an 800-mm pipe, employing shovels to extract debris as they progress.
Acknowledging the challenges, an official noted that while the 800-mm diameter pipes might pose difficulties, the rat-hole miners’ experience in working within 600-mm pipes instills confidence in their ability to navigate the narrower passage.
As the manual drilling progresses, the aim is for the Auger Machine, once functional, to facilitate the movement of an 800-mm pipe forward. However, officials refrained from committing to a specific timeframe for the rescue operation, acknowledging the slow and laborious nature of the manual drilling process.
The workers are equipped with safety gear, including helmets, uniforms, masks, and glasses, to ensure their protection as they embark on this demanding endeavor.
With approximately 10 to 12 meters remaining to reach the trapped workers and conventional machine-driven drilling exhausted, the emphasis has firmly shifted to the dedication and expertise of the rat-hole miners in navigating this critical phase of the rescue operation.
Sources By Agencies
