RESCUERS DRILL THROUGH RUBBLE TO CREATE ESCAPE PASSAGE

Rescue workers on Tuesday began the process of inserting wide steel pipes through the rubble of the collapsed under-construction tunnel on the Chardham route to bring out the 40 labourers trapped inside for two days now, officials said.

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The plan was to push through 900-mm diameter sections of mild steel pipes -- one after the other -- into the rubble using drilling equipment and create an escape passage for the workers, who officials say are safe and being provided with oxygen, water, food packets and medicines through tubes.

The son of Gabbar Singh Negi, one of the trapped labourers, was allowed to speak to his father for a few seconds on Tuesday. "He said they were safe. He asked us not to worry...." Akash Singh Negi said.

A local priest was also asked to perform a puja for the early and safe evacuation of the stranded workers.