35-hour effort to rescue man trapped in 70-ft-deep pit in Jalandhar

New Delhi: A gripping rescue operation is currently underway in Jalandhar, Punjab, where relentless efforts continue to free a 55-year-old worker named Suresh, who has been trapped in a 70-feet-deep trench for over 35 hours. The incident occurred in the backdrop of ongoing construction for the Delhi-Katra Expressway. As the clock ticks, rescue teams are grappling with challenging conditions in their race to save the trapped individual.

Suresh, in the company of another worker, descended into the pit on Saturday, an integral part of the expressway’s construction process, aiming to dislodge a stalled boring machine. While his companion managed to ascend, Suresh found himself ensnared beneath a cascade of earth. The trench dug to facilitate the erection of a pillar as a component of the expressway project turned into an unforeseen peril.

Despite tireless efforts that spanned Saturday evening through Sunday, Suresh remains confined within the pit, his situation growing increasingly critical. The rescue mission, a collaborative endeavor involving the district administration and the National Disaster Response Force, grapples with formidable obstacles. The shifting nature of the soft earth has compounded difficulties as the rescue team delves deeper in their bid to reach the trapped worker. Moreover, the presence of a nearby pond has further complicated the operation.

Jasbir Singh, Jalandhar’s Additional Deputy Commissioner overseeing urban development, emphasized that the ongoing rescue operation remains their primary focus. With unwavering determination, earth excavation machinery has been deployed to aid the efforts. A medical unit and ambulance are strategically stationed at the site, attesting to the urgency of the situation.

The gravity of the situation is underlined by Suresh’s association with Haryana’s Jind district, as his life hangs in the balance. Notably, both workers who entered the trench, including Suresh, were equipped with oxygen cylinders and protective gear aligned with established safety protocols. This move underscores the diligence of the operation, a testament to the focus on workers’ well-being in potentially hazardous circumstances.

While the relentless rescue efforts persevere, the nation’s collective hope and prayers are pinned on a swift and safe retrieval of Suresh from the depths of the trench.