Indian officials hopeful for imminent rescue of stranded workers from collapsed tunnel

By Ahmad Adil

NEW DELHI (AA) — Authorities in the Indian Himalayan state of Uttarakhand on Thursday continue with their efforts to rescue 41 workers trapped in a caved-in tunnel since Nov. 12, with officials optimistic for an imminent breakthrough.

"Augur (drilling) machine has started operating again. We are estimating that we will send two-three pipes of six meters (about 20 feet) each inside," National Disaster Response Force chief Atul Karwal told reporters. "Hopefully, by the end of the day, if we do not face obstacles, probably the rescue operation will see success."

A massive operation was launched in the state's Uttarkashi district on Nov. 12 when the under-construction Silkyara Tunnel collapsed, cutting the 41 workers off from the rest of the tunnel.

Earlier on Thursday, state's top elected official Pushkar Singh Dhami said he informed Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the "progress being made in the relief and rescue operations being conducted on a war footing."

Authorities have also ensured a team of doctors, ambulances, helicopter service, and temporary hospital for the treatment and care of the workers, once they are retrieved, according to the officials.

An estimated 60 meters need to be cleared to push through a pipe, to reach the trapped workers, according to rescue officials, which maintain that they have so far reached 45 meters.

On Wednesday night, the operation suffered a delay after a drilling machine encountered a steel structure during the operation. The hurdle has been removed, Bhaskar Khulbe, an official at the tunnel site said on Thursday.