The second day of the annual political forum, organized by India News, is underway at the NDMC Convention Center in Delhi. The three-day event, which commenced on Wednesday, December 13, will run until Friday, December 15, 2023. Several dignitaries have graced the occasion. Today, the stage welcomed the team of rat miners who rescued 41 laborers trapped in Uttarakhand’s Silkyara Tunnel. The team includes lawyer Hasan, Munna Quraishi, Rashid Ansari, Naseem Malik, Firoz Quraishi, Irshad Ansari, and civil engineer Ashok Kumar Solanki. They shared the harrowing 17-day tale of the trapped miners during the event.
Not Rat Mining: Civil Engineer Ashok Kumar Solanki Clarifies the Work
Civil engineer Ashok Kumar Solanki emphasized that the term ‘rat mining’ is incorrect for the work they performed. He explained that what they did does not fall under rat mining. Solanki stated that rat mining is banned in India, and despite this, being referred to by this name has caused significant challenges and concerns for him and his team. The entire process is known as ‘manual pipe jacking,’ approved by the Indian government.
What is Manual Pipe Jacking Like?
One of the team members, Munna Quraishi, explained that they have undertaken various projects for the Water Board’s L.N. Yatayat Company. He clarified that their work has no connection to rat miners; they specialize in piping work. Rat mining was conducted for coal, while they sit inside the pipe, cut it, and push it forward. This process is known as manual pipe jacking. They work on cutting through soil, and the tender for this is approved by the government. It is not involved in any illegal activities.
Award from Akhilesh Yadav
A team member shared that upon seeing the trapped laborers, all of their faces lit up with joy. The laborers, trapped for 17 days, started making videos of them as soon as they saw them. The team members were also delighted to see them. It was mentioned that the trapped laborers were appealing to be rescued. Civil engineer Ashok Kumar Solanki said that it involved significant risk, but they demonstrated courage. One team member revealed that Akhilesh Yadav rewarded each member with a prize of one lakh rupees.
