Rescue operation for Chetna stuck in borewell continues on 9th day, hanging from hook at 120 feet: condition critical

Kotputli (The Uttam Hindu): The rescue operation to save three-year-old Chetna, who fell into a 700-foot deep borewell in Rajasthan’s Kotputli, continued on the ninth day. Since the accident on December 23, Chetna has been stuck in the borewell, raising growing concerns about her safety and health. Initially, the administration and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) had claimed that Chetna would be rescued by Monday, but the operation has been delayed. This delay has led to frustration and anger among her family and the local villagers.

The family has accused the authorities of not taking timely action, which they believe could have led to a quicker rescue. However, the administration has denied any negligence. In response to the family’s frustration, District Collector Kalpana Agarwal met with them on Monday evening, explaining the challenges faced during the rescue operation. She called it Rajasthan's most difficult rescue mission and assured the family that every possible effort is being made, but due to the depth and other technical reasons, the process is taking longer than expected. Efforts to rescue Chetna are ongoing. She is stuck about 120 feet below the surface, hanging from a hook, and has not moved since the evening of December 24, which has raised further concerns about her condition.

Three teams of six NDRF personnel are working in rotation, with two members descending into the 170-foot deep pit each time to dig a tunnel toward the borewell. The team members are being provided with oxygen, but the depth makes breathing difficult for them. Despite the challenges, the teams are working in coordination to rescue Chetna as quickly as possible. For reference, Chetna fell into the borewell around 2 PM on December 23 while playing. Initially, she was stuck at a depth of about 150 feet, but she was pulled up 30 feet using a makeshift device. Since then, she has not received food or water. The rescue team continues to make every effort to bring her to safety, but as time passes, concerns about her well-being are increasing.