Rescuers failed to reach the three workers even 72 hours after they were trapped inside a tunnel being constructed as part of a four-laning project on the Kiratpur-Ner Chowk national highway at Tihri, 18 km from Bilaspur.
Relatives of the three — Satish Tomar (Paonta Sahib), Mani Ram and Hirda Ram (both from Mandi) — visited the site today as they prayed for the safety of their loved ones.
A portion of tunnel No. 4 caved in at 8.30 pm on September 12 trapping the three inside. While suspense looms over their survival, officers of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), which is carrying out the rescue operations, said they hoped the workers were safe.
Experts from hydel projects, including Sutlej Jal Vidyut Nigam Ltd and Nathpa Jhakri, have been called in to assist the BRO team led by director (tunnels) RS Rao. The officer said efforts were being made to reach the workers.
A National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team, which arrived here on Monday, left today saying they were convinced with the rescue operations being carried out by the BRO, said Bilaspur Deputy Commissioner Mansi Thakur Sahaye.
The BRO has started digging a tunnel from the top of the hill to reach the workers, said sources.
Sources said the tunnel was at a depth of 40-50 metres from the hilltop and it could take another 24 hours for the rescuers to create a shaft to access the area where the workers were trapped. The police have registered a case against Himalayan Construction Company for putting the lives of workers at risk.
