Uttarkashi Tunnel Rescue Operation Live Updates: Few Metres Of Digging Left, Big Breakthrough Expected Today

Uttarkashi Tunnel Rescue Operation LIVE updates: Over the past two weeks, repeated attempts to rescue the workers have failed because of challenges including the topography and the nature of rocks in the area.

As a team of "rat-hole miners" began manual drilling operations yesterday to reach the 41 workers trapped within the debris of the collapsed Silkyara tunnel in Uttarakhand's Uttarkashi as rescue ops entered Day 17.

Nodal Officer for the Silkyara rescue operation and Secretary to the Uttarakhand government, Neeraj Khairwal informed that if there are no more hurdles, the rescuers are anticipating an early evacuation of the trapped labourers.

He said, "As of now, we have pushed 55.3 metres of the pipe. This includes clearing of the rubble as well as laying the pipe. Only a little more distance remains. It might be somewhere between 57-59 metres. It might take a few more hours if there are no more hurdles. By evening we are hoping. Let's pray and hope for the best".

Meanwhile, Officials said the workers will be taken to a hospital in Uttarkashi after being rescued where a special ward with 41 beds has been set up for them.