In a race against time, the rescue operation to save 41 construction workers trapped in a tunnel in northern India has encountered fresh setbacks as the drilling machine being used has broken down and is beyond repair. The workers have been stuck beneath a collapsed road tunnel in Uttarkashi district, Uttarakhand state for 13 days following a landslide. The rescue mission, which has already been plagued by delays and challenges, has now come to a halt with reports suggesting it could take several more days to resume drilling.

Rescuers have been grappling with the daunting task of drilling through 195 feet of heavy rock and debris to reach the trapped workers. Regular contact has been established with the workers, ensuring that they receive vital supplies such as oxygen, dry food, and water.

The previous setback occurred when the U.S.-made auger machine, which was being used to penetrate the mountainous terrain horizontally, suffered a destabilized platform, bringing drilling operations to a temporary stop. Although the platform was reinforced with concrete and drilling resumed, the machine ultimately broke down on Saturday, leaving rescue personnel without a viable option to continue their efforts.

Arnold Dix, an international expert assisting the rescue team, expressed uncertainty about the timeline for restarting the drilling operation. A new machine is being arranged on-site to drill vertically, providing an alternative approach to reach the trapped workers.

"The machine is busted, it is irreparable," Dix lamented about the broken equipment. "The mountain has once again resisted the auger (machine)."

Furthermore, the machine's high-intensity vibrations were causing additional debris to fall, leading officials to temporarily suspend rescue efforts for the safety of the workers.

Just a few days ago, the operation faced another hurdle when workers encountered a thick metal rod, requiring the use of gas cutters to overcome the obstacle. The drilling machine ceased to function after successfully drilling approximately 6.5 feet of the remaining 40-foot stretch of rock debris, which would provide an escape route for the trapped workers.

Pushkar Singh Dhami, the chief minister of Uttarakhand state, assured that the damaged drilling machine would be removed from the site by Sunday morning. Dhami revealed that he had personally spoken to some of the trapped workers and conveyed their message of not rushing the rescue operation.

To explore alternative avenues, a new drilling machine designed for vertical digging was transported to the accident site on Saturday. However, this approach necessitates digging approximately 440 feet downward, nearly double the distance of the previous horizontal shaft. Rescue teams have already established an access road to the hilltop, facilitating the vertical dig.

The construction workers have been trapped since November 12 when a landslide caused a portion of the 2.7-mile Silkyara tunnel, which they were constructing, to collapse roughly 500 feet from the entrance. The hilly terrain is prone to landslides and subsidence.

These workers had been contributing to the construction of a 424-mile road to connect various Hindu pilgrimage sites in the region. The area's mountainous topography is home to numerous Hindu temples that attract pilgrims and tourists alike.

Despite the setbacks, the rescue teams remain determined to save the trapped workers. Efforts are underway to rectify the situation and resume drilling to create an escape route for the workers, bringing hope for a successful rescue operation in the days to come.