2023-11-28 14:36:22
The mission to rescue the workers trapped in the tunnel under construction in Uttarkashi is in its final stages. 41 ambulances are ready to take the workers to the hospital after taking them out. After facing death for 17 days in isolation and anxiety, the Silkyara rescue mission is finally on its way to success. Excavation of the ruins is over. The first ambulance entered the tunnel. Officials said the mission was a success.
On Sunday, the rescue operations to bring out 41 workers trapped in the tunnel accident faced a setback. Drilling through the debris was in progress when the joint of the machine broke and the blade got stuck between the pipes. After attempts to drill deeper failed, a method called ‘rat hole mining’ was finally used for the rescue operation.
“Through the rat hole, we can directly go down into the pipe and remove the debris blocking the drilling. Although I have been doing this for the past ten years, this is the first time I am digging a rat hole to save people. If there is only soil underneath, the debris can be removed within 24 hours, but if there are rocks, it may take another 32 hours,” said Parsadhi, a rat hole miner. Lodhi said.
What is Rat Hole Mining?
Rat hole mining is a technique popular in Meghalaya and used to mine coal. It is called a rat hole because it digs holes so small that only one person can get down. After digging the pit, the workers descend to greater depths using a rope or other means and mine the coal.
“There are two main types of rat hole mining. In one method, workers dig until the coal is found. The second method is known as box cutting. In this, a rectangular section of 10 to 100 meters is first excavated and then dug down 100 to 400 meters. After the coal is found, pits are dug to extract them. And will be taken at length,” OP Singh, a professor at North Eastern Hill University (NEHU), told The Indian Express.
Challenges
The challenges posed by rat hole mining are not small. It may not be able to provide adequate ventilation or adequate safety for workers. Also, this type of mining affects the sustainability of the land and causes deforestation and water pollution.
Why was rat hole mining discontinued?
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) banned this mining method in 2014. The state government of Meghalaya had filed an appeal in the Supreme Court against this verdict as it was a popular practice in Meghalaya. The ban was pointed out that water entering the mines during the rainy season could even lead to the death of the workers.
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