Retired Lt-Gen Syed Ata Hasnain from the NDMA said that he believes the operation will continue throughout the whole night.
Lt-Gen Hasnain said it will take “at least three to four hours” to rescue all the workers stuck in the tunnel.
He said it will take 3-5 minutes to get each of the 41 people out. Three teams from the National Disaster Response Force will help with the evacuation, and State Disaster Response Force teams will also be there to help.
He said that the paramedics will go inside the tunnel when people are being evacuated.
For the last two hours, there has been a flurry of activity outside the tunnel.
The tunnel’s opening is lined with dozens of ambulances. There are also a number of high-ranking officials present.
Chinook helicopters from the Indian Air Force have also been used to remove employees who might require emergency medical attention.
There’s a general air of nervousness and excitement at the location.