In a dramatic and heart-wrenching rescue mission that lasted nearly 70 hours, a 3-year-old girl named Chetna was finally pulled to safety from a 700-foot-deep borewell in Rajasthan’s Kotputli. The daring operation, involving specialized rat miners, concluded successfully, bringing immense relief to the entire nation.
Chetna had fallen into the borewell on her father’s farm on Monday afternoon, while playing. The borewell, initially about 15 feet deep, became a harrowing trap after Chetna slipped further down to a depth of around 150 feet. Despite her family’s desperate efforts to pull her out, she ended up stuck at a depth of 700 feet, posing an increasingly grave threat to her survival.
The incident quickly drew the attention of authorities, including teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and local administration, who launched a full-scale rescue operation.
Faced with narrow and extremely confined conditions, conventional methods proved insufficient. That’s when rat miners were brought in—highly skilled experts known for their ability to navigate tight spaces. These miners specialize in digging narrow tunnels in challenging terrains, a technique that became the key to reaching Chetna safely.
The team reached the location late at night, and began their work early in the morning. “We are digging a pit using a piling machine. After reaching 155 feet, we were obstructed by a stone. We changed the piling machine and its width. We have dug till 160 feet, and 10 more to go. Manual digging will be required for a horizontal approach. Hopefully, we will complete it (rescue operation) today,” said Yogesh Kumar Meena, in charge of the NDRF team, during a media interaction.
With each passing hour, the urgency of the situation grew. Time had become Chetna’s greatest enemy, but the relentless efforts of rescue teams kept hope alive. The borewell posed multiple obstacles, including debris and unstable rock formations, but the dedicated NDRF and SDRF teams persisted, determined to reach Chetna.
Chetna’s parents, overwhelmed by fear and anxiety, had been holding out hope for their little girl’s survival. The community, along with authorities, had rallied in full force, praying for a positive outcome.
After nearly 68 hours, the news of Chetna’s safe rescue was met with tears of joy. The young girl was safely brought out of the borewell and rushed to a nearby hospital for medical evaluation. Her family expressed immense gratitude, overwhelmed by the support they had received from rescue teams and the public.
“We are forever indebted to the NDRF and SDRF teams who never gave up. We prayed day and night for Chetna’s safety, and today, our prayers have been answered,” said Chetna’s father, his voice trembling with relief.
Chetna’s story captured the hearts of millions across the country, bringing together communities and highlighting the resilience of rescue teams. The success of this operation showcases the critical role of specialized knowledge and unwavering determination in saving lives.
As India celebrates this miraculous rescue, the collective hope is that incidents like these will continue to inspire efforts towards better disaster preparedness and community support.