Rescuers in Rajasthan’s Kotputli-Behror district are racing against time to save Chetna, a three-year-old girl who fell into a 700-foot-deep borewell over 68 hours ago. A 160-foot-deep parallel pit is being dug to create a horizontal tunnel to reach the child. However, progress has been hindered by a stone at 155 feet, forcing a change in the piling machine’s bit. Rescue teams, supported by a specialised team of “rat miners” from Uttarakhand, hope to complete the operation soon. District Collector Kalpana Agarwal and NDRF in-charge Yogesh Meena are overseeing the efforts, with the latter confirming that manual digging of an 8-9-foot tunnel will commence shortly.

The operation has faced logistical setbacks, including delays caused by removing electricity poles to accommodate the massive machinery. Attempts to rescue Chetna using improvised tools failed earlier in the week. Since her fall on Monday afternoon while playing near her home in Badiyali ki Dhani, no movement has been detected on the monitoring cameras. Her prolonged entrapment without food or water has left her family and villagers deeply distressed. Despite these challenges, rescue teams remain hopeful, with the “rat miners” expressing confidence based on their prior successful missions, including one during the Uttarakhand tunnel accident.

As local anxiety mounts, authorities have pledged unwavering commitment to bring Chetna to safety. The rescue effort has drawn significant public attention, with many following the updates closely. The Kotputli administration expressed gratitude for the quick response of the Uttarakhand-based miners, whose expertise is crucial in this critical phase. While the operation continues, the focus remains on executing the final steps swiftly and safely to reunite the young girl with her family.