Rescue Operation Chief Shares Exclusive Update with NDTV on Uttarakhand Rescue Mission

The rat miners who successfully completed the final 12-meter stretch in the Uttarakhand tunnel excavation within 24 hours have exceeded expectations, according to Lt Gen Syed Ata Hasnain, a member of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). In an exclusive interview with NDTV, Hasnain expressed his surprise at the workers’ progress, stating that he initially anticipated a rate of two to three meters in 18 to 20 hours, but they managed to dig 10 meters in less than 18 hours. Despite facing obstacles, the workers persevered and worked efficiently in extremely cramped conditions.

The term “rat miners” refers to laborers who are skilled in drilling narrow shafts using a primitive and currently illegal method of coal extraction. In this particular situation, they manually dug through rocks in the last 12-meter section that proved too challenging for advanced drilling equipment. Hasnain commended the workers for their nonchalant attitude, which he attributed to their years of experience and compared to battle-hardened soldiers. He was impressed by their confidence and willingness to use any available tools without the need for specialized equipment.

When asked about how the rat miners were recruited for the job, Hasnain mentioned that the suggestion likely came from an open source, and someone took it seriously. The excavation of the 4.5-kilometer tunnel, which will connect Silkyara and Dandalgaon in Uttarkashi, is part of the Chardham project. Once completed, it is expected to reduce the distance between the two locations by 26 kilometers.