Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand, November 29: In a remarkable achievement, all 41 workers who were trapped inside the Silkyara tunnel in Uttarakhand since November 12 have been successfully rescued after a challenging 17-day operation.
The marathon rescue operation concluded with the safe evacuation of the last worker at 8:20 PM, marking the end of a tense situation that began when a portion of the tunnel caved in, trapping the laborers under debris.
Harpal Singh, the Project Head for Zoji-la Tunnel, provided details of the breakthrough, stating, “The exact time of breakthrough was 7:05 pm. Uttarakhand CM, Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways and Civil Aviation Gen VK Singh are present there.” The rescue operation involved efforts to clear debris and push pipes into the tunnel to reach the trapped workers.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, accompanied by Union Minister of State General (Retd) VK Singh, personally met with the rescued workers to ensure their well-being. Dhami praised the coordinated efforts of all involved in the rescue mission.
Expressing his relief and gratitude, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari commended the successful collaboration of multiple agencies, making it one of the most significant rescue operations in recent years. He stated, “This was a well-coordinated effort by multiple agencies, marking one of the most significant rescue operations in recent years. Tireless and sincere efforts by everyone, coupled with prayers from all, have made this operation possible.”
Families of the rescued workers extended their gratitude to the government for the successful rescue operation. Gadkari emphasized that despite numerous challenges, the dedicated endeavors of the rescue teams and the support of various departments and agencies played a crucial role in the favorable outcome.
The collapse of a portion of the tunnel on November 12 had led to debris falling in a 60-meter stretch, trapping the laborers inside the under-construction structure. The successful rescue brings a sigh of relief and marks the culmination of a comprehensive and collaborative effort by all involved parties.
29th Nov 2023
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