How Rat-Hole Mining, Outlawed, May Save 41 Trapped In Uttarkashi Tunnel

The National Green Tribunal banned rat-hole mining in 2014 for being unscientific and unsafe, but the practice continues to be rampant in Meghalaya

A mining practice banned for being unsafe has come to the aid of the 41 workers trapped inside an Uttarakhand tunnel after high-tech, imported machines broke down during the long-drawn operation.

Rat-hole mining to rescue the trapped workers began yesterday after a 25-tonne auger machine failed in the last leg of the challenging operation. This method of manual drilling has made quick progress and the diggers are now metres away from the workers who have been confined for 17 days.