Bhopal/Badnagar, April 10 (NationPress) A rescue mission is currently in progress to save a three-year-old boy trapped at roughly 70 feet deep inside a borewell in Jhalariya village, located approximately 75 km from Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh. The child, identified as Bhagirath Dewasi, fell into the borewell on Thursday evening, around 7:30 to 8:00 PM, while his family was tending to their sheep in the nearby fields.

According to relatives, a sheep unintentionally knocked off the stone that covered the borewell. The inquisitive Bhagirath, the youngest among three siblings, approached the borewell, lifted the cover to look inside, and fell into the shaft.

Bhagirath is the son of Praveen Dewasi, a shepherd originally from Gudanla village in Pali district, Rajasthan. The family had just arrived in the region three days prior for grazing purposes. His mother witnessed the incident but was unable to reach him in time. At that moment, Praveen was away in Rajasthan.

A large-scale joint rescue effort involving the NDRF (from Bhopal) and SDRF teams (from Harda, Indore, and Ujjain) is currently taking place.

The child is being continuously observed via a camera lowered into the borewell, and oxygen is being provided to him. His condition remains stable thus far.

Teams are working on digging a parallel pit using several Poclain and JCB machines, but progress has slowed after reaching approximately 40 feet due to the presence of hard rock. A hammer machine has been summoned from Bhopal and Indore to break through the rocky layers. Efforts are also being made to secure a rescue ring and rope to safely lift the child.

Ujjain Superintendent of Police Pradeep Sharma stated that the child is trapped at a depth of about 70 feet, and every possible measure is being taken to ensure his safe retrieval.

“The rescue operation is taking longer than expected due to the rocky nature of the terrain and the intermittent rock formations. The child’s condition is currently stable. We will only understand his actual physical state once he is rescued. The operation is still ongoing,” he explained.

SP Sharma, who is on-site, informed media representatives, “A team from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) is collaborating with the SDRF for the rescue. Approximately six Poclain and other earthmoving machines are being utilized. Ambulances and essential equipment are on standby to address any emergencies. We are committed to bringing the child out safely.”

Santosh Jat, Commandant of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), shared that teams are working to hoist the child using a ring attached to a rescue rope.

The entire village and surrounding areas are filled with anxiety as the operation, which continued throughout the night, approaches a critical phase this Friday. Local authorities have allocated all necessary resources, and senior officials are closely overseeing the situation.

Borewell accidents involving children are a persistent concern in rural India, emphasizing the urgent need for stricter regulations on securing unused borewells. Prayers and hopes for the safe and swift rescue of young Bhagirath are flowing in from across Madhya Pradesh.