A frantic battle to rescue 41 construction workers trapped in a tunnel in northern India has hit a fresh hurdle due to a problem with a drilling machine, with officials warning that the next 24 hours could be crucial for their survival.

The workers have been trapped beneath a collapsed road tunnel in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand state for 12 days following a landslide. The incident occurred on November 12, when a portion of the 2.7-mile Silkyara tunnel they were constructing collapsed about 500 feet from the entrance.

Efforts to rescue the trapped workers have faced numerous challenges. Most recently, a U.S.-made auger machine, with a drilling capacity of up to 16 feet per hour, experienced issues. The 25-ton platform on which the machine is mounted developed cracks, leading to its destabilization. Engineers are now reinforcing the platform with concrete, and drilling is expected to resume later on Friday.

The auger machine is crucial for creating an escape route consisting of a tunnel of pipes welded together through the debris. Rescue teams plan to wheel the workers out on stretchers through these pipes once they are in place, providing a passage to freedom.

According to officials, the rescue teams are currently about 30 feet away from the trapped workers, and they need to drill down approximately 195 feet to reach them. Despite the setback, they are in the final phase of the operation and remain committed to saving the workers.

The construction of the Silkyara tunnel was part of the ongoing project to connect various Hindu pilgrimage sites in the region. The area's mountainous terrain is prone to landslides and subsidence, posing challenges for construction work.

Rescue personnel established contact with the trapped workers shortly after the collapse, and since then, they have been providing them with essential supplies such as oxygen, food, and water. However, time is of the essence, and the next 24 hours are critical in determining the workers' chances of survival.

This is not the first setback faced by the rescue operation. Earlier this week, workers encountered a thick metal rod that had to be cut using gas cutters, causing a temporary halt to the operation.

Last week, officials decided to bring in the U.S. machine after the initial one they were using proved too slow in clearing the debris.

The rescue team remains determined to bring the trapped workers to safety, but with each passing hour, the situation becomes more precarious. Efforts to reinforce the platform and resume drilling hope to expedite the rescue operation and bring a glimmer of hope to the trapped construction workers.