From the archive record
Alternate methods to gain access to the workers were intensified. Vertical drilling by Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam at the Silkyara end reached a depth of 32 metres (105 ft) and a third pipeline for the supply of necessities to the workers was also being laid by Rail Vikas Nigam. On the Barkot end of the tunnel, THDC India Limited had executed a successful drill up to 12 metres (39 ft) while Oil and Natural Gas Corporation was preparing for vertical drilling."rat-hole" miners in the rescue team broke through the remaining length of debris and pushed a pipe to the trapped workers manually. The rescue team evacuated the workers one-by-one on stretchers, throughout the day, in a process that was expected to take several hours.Later at around 20:50 IST on the same day, it was confirmed by the Gover