The team of rat-hole miners, who began the manual drilling operations on Monday, have reportedly reached the 41 workers trapped within the debris of the collapsed Silkyara tunnel in Uttarkashi.

According to India Today, ambulances have been lined up and mattresses brought in for the rescued workers.

Sources further said doctors, NDRF teams have entered the tunnel, and now stretchers are being taken inside.

A senior Uttarakhand official at the site said rescue workers entered the 60-metre stretch of rubble in Silkyara tunnel on Tuesday 16 days after the 41 workers were trapped in the tunnel, which is an integral part of the central government's Char Dham all-weather road project.

Confirming the breakthrough, Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami said the workers will be taken out soon. "As a result of immense grace of Baba Baukh Nagji (and) prayers of crores of countrymen and the tireless work of all rescue teams... the work of laying pipes in the tunnel to take out the workers has been completed. Soon all the labourer brothers will be taken out," Dhami posted on X.

An hour back, sources said that the rescue team is just 3 metres away from the workers. Uttarakhand Secretary and Nodal Officer for Silkayara rescue operation Neeraj Khairwal said that the rescue team has pushed the pipes till 55.3 metres.

"...As of now, we have pushed in the pipe 55.3 metres. Only a little more distance remains...It might be somewhere between 57-59 metres...It might take a few more hours if there are no more hurdles...By evening we are hoping...Let's pray and hope for the best," Khairwal said.

Earlier it was reported, after rescue the trapped workers will be rushed to a hospital for immediate medical care. A separate ward comprising 41 oxygen-supported beds has been prepared at the community health centre in Chinyalisaur, about 30 km from Silkyara, for the workers.

The road outside the tunnel, which became uneven due to regular movement of heavy vehicles over the past fortnight was being repaired and a fresh layer of soil was being laid for smooth movement of ambulances.