Jaipur: Chetna, a three-year-old girl, remains trapped in a borewell in Kotputli, Rajasthan, as rescue efforts enter their eighth day on December 30. She fell into the 700-foot-deep borewell on December 23 and is currently stuck at a depth of about 170 feet. Rescue teams are optimistic that they will reach her by noon today.
As of 6:30 a.m. on Monday, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has managed to dig approximately 7 feet of a tunnel, but they are facing challenges due to the hardness of the rock, which is slowing progress to just 2-4 inches per hour. NDRF team member Mahavir Singh mentioned that the temperature inside the tunnel is rising, and the team is struggling with dust-related breathing difficulties. Despite these obstacles, they are proceeding cautiously.
The drilling is being conducted at a steep angle through very hard rock. NDRF in-charge Yogesh Kumar Meena stated that experts from Hindustan Zinc Limited and local construction professionals are ensuring the tunnel’s alignment, with assistance from the Air Force and BSF to confirm the direction. All assessments indicate that they are on the right track.
Chetna fell into the borewell while playing, and since then, she has had no access to water and has shown no signs of movement since the evening of December 24. Officials have not provided updates on her condition or shared visual footage in recent days.
As the rescue operation continues, officials emphasize the urgency of the situation. District Collector Kalpana Agarwal has called this the most challenging rescue operation in Rajasthan. Meanwhile, Chetna’s family and local villagers have criticized the administration for perceived negligence in handling the crisis.