The operation to save 41 workers who have been trapped inside a tunnel in India's Uttarakhand state for the past 11 days has resumed after facing a snag, according to officials. The workers have been stranded since 12 November when a section of the tunnel collapsed due to a landslide.

Efforts are underway to free the workers within the next 10-12 hours, if all goes according to plan. However, the rescue operation faced a setback late on Wednesday when a drilling machine encountered a steel structure that it was unable to cut through. This forced rescuers to use gas-cutters, resulting in a delay of approximately six hours. Before this obstacle, three-quarters of the debris trapping the workers had already been drilled through, raising hopes of their rescue by Thursday morning.

Contact with the trapped workers was established shortly after the incident, and they have been receiving essential supplies such as oxygen, dry snacks, and water through a pipeline that was originally laid for the tunnel's construction work. Friends and relatives of the trapped workers anxiously await their rescue and have expressed concerns over the time taken to free them. Earlier this week, some of them were fortunate enough to catch a glimpse of their loved ones through an endoscopic camera inserted into the tunnel.

The director general of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Atul Karwal, stated on Thursday morning that completion of the rescue operation is expected by tonight, provided there are no further obstacles. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami also spoke to the workers in the morning, assuring that they appeared to be in good spirits.

Authorities have been facing challenges during the operation due to loose soil, hard rock, and falling debris. Multiple pipes of different widths have been inserted into the estimated 60m (197ft) debris wall to create a micro-tunnel through which the workers can be brought out safely. After the final rescue pipe reaches the trapped workers, a doctor will be sent ahead to assess their condition.

Ambulances are on standby outside the tunnel to transport the freed workers to a nearby hospital as swiftly as possible. To assist with the challenging drilling process, an American-made auger drill was brought in from across the country when excavators proved unsuccessful in clearing the thick accumulation of soil and rock. This powerful tool features a spiral shaft that rotates to push away soil and stones, allowing it to penetrate the ground effectively.

The rescue operation, although encountering various delays and obstacles, remains focused on the ultimate goal of bringing the 41 trapped workers to safety. As the hours tick by, hopes continue to rest on the successful completion of the operation and the reunification of the workers with their loved ones.