A two-and-a-half-year-old boy who accidentally fell into a borewell in Madhya Pradesh’s Ujjain district continues to remain trapped, as rescue operations face significant hurdles. According to officials on Friday, efforts to dig a parallel shaft to reach the child have slowed considerably due to the presence of hard rock formations underground. The incident occurred in Jhalariya village, located around 75 kilometres from the district headquarters, on Thursday evening. The toddler, identified as Bhagirath, fell into the narrow borewell, prompting authorities to launch an urgent and large-scale rescue mission involving multiple emergency response teams.
Rescue teams, including personnel from the National Disaster Response Force, worked tirelessly through the night in an attempt to reach the child, who is believed to be stuck at a depth of nearly 60 to 65 feet. Despite continuous efforts, the boy could not be brought out safely by Friday morning. Officials explained that a parallel pit is being excavated to access the child from the side, which is considered a safer approach. However, the digging process has been delayed after teams encountered layers of solid rock, making the operation more complex and time-consuming.
To closely monitor the child’s condition, authorities have lowered a camera into the borewell, allowing rescuers to assess his position and movement. Officials also confirmed that oxygen is being continuously supplied to ensure the boy remains stable during the rescue efforts. Badnagar police station in-charge Ashok Patidar stated that the exact situation and condition of the child would only be clear once he is successfully pulled out. Meanwhile, another official revealed that excavation work had progressed to a depth of around 40 feet before hitting rock, further complicating the rescue mission.
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In response to the challenging conditions, specialised drilling machines have been brought in from Bhopal and Indore to break through the rock layers and speed up the digging process. State Disaster Response Force Commandant Santosh Jat said teams are also attempting to rescue the child using a rope ring technique, which could help pull him up safely if conditions permit. Ujjain Superintendent of Police Pradeep Sharma confirmed that both NDRF and SDRF teams are actively involved, with nearly six excavators and JCB machines deployed at the site. Ambulances and essential emergency equipment have also been stationed nearby.
Officials added that every possible measure is being taken to ensure the child’s safe rescue. Bhagirath is the son of Praveen Devasi, a Rajasthan resident who works as a shepherd. The family had arrived in the area just three days before the incident and was grazing sheep in Badnagar tehsil when the mishap occurred. It is believed that the stone slab covering the borewell may have been displaced by an animal. The child, who was walking behind the family, reportedly removed the cover out of curiosity and accidentally fell inside the deep pit.
According to the boy’s maternal uncle, the child’s mother noticed him looking into the borewell and rushed towards him, but he slipped and fell before she could reach him in time. The family hails from Gudanla village in Rajasthan’s Pali district, and the father was not present at the spot during the incident as he had returned to Pali earlier. The tragic accident has left the family distressed, while authorities continue their relentless efforts to rescue the toddler as quickly and safely as possible.