Over the past three days, 40 workers have been stranded inside a collapsed Workers in Himalayan Tunnel Collapse, facing challenges in the rescue operation due to falling debris. Efforts are underway to deploy an advanced machine to expedite the process of cutting through the rubble.

Loose rocks have posed a significant challenge as they continue to fall into the tunnel that rescuers are trying to clear. Officials in Uttarakhand state, where the incident occurred, emphasize the difficulty of removing the loose debris.

The trapped workers, located in a 50-meter section, are reported to be safe, receiving essential supplies like food, water, and oxygen through a pipe. Communication with them is maintained using walkie-talkies.

The rescue plan involves drilling through the debris, inserting mild steel pipes to create a pathway for the laborers. However, the main obstacle lies in dealing with the loose debris that keeps falling back into the tunnel.

Given the challenges, a high-powered auger drilling machine is being set up to cut through the debris at a faster rate than the previous machine, which encountered a glitch.

India’s Himalayan region is susceptible to natural disasters such as landslides, earthquakes, and floods. The tunnel collapse adds to concerns about the impact of rapid construction in the mountains.

Criticism has emerged, particularly as the workers were part of the Char Dham highway project, a major initiative by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government. The ambitious project aims to connect four Hindu pilgrimage sites through 890 km of roads, costing $1.5 billion. Environmental experts have raised concerns about its impact.

Footage from the ANI news agency shows frustrated workers outside the tunnel, urging prompt rescue efforts. The Char Dham project, initiated in 2018, was initially scheduled for completion by July 2022. Delays prior to the collapse had already pushed the expected end-date to May of the following year, according to government statements.