In a gripping turn of events in the Uttarakhand Silkyara tunnel rescue mission, 41 workers, trapped for 17 days, were successfully evacuated using the controversial and outlawed rat-hole mining technique. The operation, which commenced around 8 pm, achieved the unthinkable as all workers emerged unharmed in approximately an hour, defying the odds that conventional methods had failed to overcome.
During a media briefing, Lt General Syed Ata Hasnain (Retired), a member of the National Disaster Management Authority, responded to queries about the unconventional mining technique. Rat-hole mining, outlawed in 2014 by the National Green Tribunal due to environmental concerns, involves digging small pits to extract coal. Lt General Hasnain acknowledged the legal ambiguity but emphasized the necessity of utilizing the unique skills of rat-hole miners in this life-saving effort.
"The National Green Tribunal banned the technique in 2014 for coal mining, but this is a skill used in construction sites. The situation is not always comfortable for workers. This is a special situation where we have to save lives. They are technicians, and we are using their skills to rescue the workers," another official added, echoing Lt General Hasnain's sentiments.
The decision to employ rat-hole mining came after heavy machinery, including a 25-tonne auger machine, failed to make a breakthrough in the final leg of the challenging rescue operation. The small-sized tunnels created by rat-hole mining allowed for a last-ditch effort to reach the trapped workers.
Understanding Rat-Hole Mining: A Controversial Method
Rat-hole mining involves extracting coal by digging small pits, typically not exceeding 4 feet in width. Once miners reach the coal seam, they create sideways tunnels for coal extraction. The extracted coal is dumped nearby and later transported via highways. This method is prevalent in Meghalaya, where thin coal seams make alternative methods economically unviable.
The hazardous nature of rat-hole mining often leads to the involvement of children, who can navigate the narrow tunnels. Despite the ban, the practice continues due to limited livelihood options in the region. Tragic incidents, such as accidents and fatalities, have been associated with this unregulated mining technique.
Legal and Environmental Ramifications
The National Green Tribunal's ban in 2014 was a response to the unscientific nature of rat-hole mining and its adverse environmental impact. The ban aimed to curb the rampant practice and protect both miners and the surrounding ecosystem.
Despite the ban, accidents have persisted, resulting in the loss of lives. In 2018, 15 miners were trapped in a flooded mine, with only two bodies recovered after a two-month-long rescue operation. Another incident in 2021 involved five miners trapped in a flooded mine, resulting in three fatalities.
Current Developments and Future Plans
As the successful rescue operation unfolded, the Indian Air Force was called in to assist with the evacuation. A Chinook helicopter, capable of airlifting heavy loads, was stationed at the Chinyalisaur airstrip in Uttarkashi. However, due to operational constraints, the airlift was scheduled for the next morning.
Lt General Hasnain assured that medical facilities were in place for the rescued workers, with a 30-bed facility ready in the District Hospital and a 10-bed facility at the site. Urgency could prompt the use of ambulances to transport workers to Rishikesh.
Despite the unconventional methods sparking legal and ethical debates, the successful rescue of all workers signifies a remarkable chapter in the ongoing operation, emphasizing the importance of innovative approaches in the face of unprecedented challenges.
