Uttarkashi Tunnel: How Jhansi rat miners rescued workers after high-tech American machine failed

A group of six skilled miners from Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh today successfully dug a safe passage to rescue workers trapped inside the Silkyara tunnel in Uttarkashi after high-tech American machines failed. These miners, known for their expertise in manual excavation, manually dig their way through the debris, covering a distance of 10-12 meters to reach the trapped workers. They rescued the workers in nearly 24 hours.

The drilling by a huge auger machine was stopped after it got stuck in the rubble on Friday, forcing officials to focus on an alternative option. After all the high-tech machinery failed for the horizontal through-the-rubble tunneling work, officials decided that the final stretch would be handled through a manual approach in which individual workers will go into the escape passage with drills, as well as gas-cutters to tackle obstacles like iron girders.

In a conversation with TOI, one of the miners stated, "We won't face any issues related to claustrophobia as we have previously worked in smaller tunnels."


The excavation technique used in the Silkyara tunnel was similar to 'rat-hole' mining method. Rat-hole mining involves the extraction of coal through extremely narrow tunnels, typically measuring 3-4 feet in depth. These tunnels are often accessed by workers, including children. This practice is primarily carried out in Meghalaya due to the challenging terrain and the specific characteristics of the coal found in the region.

Rat-hole mining is a controversial and hazardous procedure in which miners in small groups go down narrow burrows to excavate small quantities of coal.

However, in 2014, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) banned rat-hole mining, citing concerns about its unscientific nature and the safety risks it posed to workers. However, despite the ban, unauthorized rat-hole mining continues in Meghalaya, leading to unfortunate fatalities. Miners descend hundreds of feet into these horizontal tunnels using rudimentary equipment. On December 13, 2018, 15 miners who were involved in illegal coal mining in Meghalaya died after they got trapped inside the tunnel as a breach caused water from the nearby Lytein River to enter the underground mine.

There are two types of rat-hole mining techniques:
1. Side Cutting: Narrow tunnels are excavated into the hill slopes, and workers enter these openings to locate the coal seam.

2. Box Cutting: Rectangular openings, ranging in size from 10 to 100 square meters, are created to access the coal deposits.