After 17 days of tireless rescue operations, all 41 workers who were trapped after a portion of the under-construction tunnel in Uttarkashi district caved in a fortnight ago were rescued on Tuesday. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Border Roads Organisation (BRO), project executing agency National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) jointly executed the rescue efforts. HOW IT HAPPENED
Rescue workers broke through the 60-metre stretch of rubble in the Silkyara tunnel in Uttarakhand on Tuesday noon using rat-hole mining technique.
Moments before the labourers came out of the tunnel, CM Pushkar Singh Dhami took to X and said, "As a result of the immense grace of Baba Baukh Nag Ji, prayers of crores of countrymen and the tireless work of all the rescue teams engaged in the rescue operation, the work of laying pipes in the tunnel to take out the workers has been completed. Soon all the labour brothers will be taken out."
Earlier in the day, Lieutenant General Syed Ata Hasnain (Retd.), Member, NDMA, said, "We are at 58 metres and the sounds of drilling and digging are being heard on the other side. It is the last mile of the operation where the rat miners have gone in along with the Army, NDRF and other agencies. It is because of their efforts that 10 metres have been achieved in the last 24 hours...
A 30-bed facility is also ready in the District Hospital and 10-bed facility was also ready at the site.
Govt announces Rs 1 lakh for each rescued worker
Following the triumphant rescue operation that liberated 41 workers from Uttarkashi's Silkyara Tunnel, Chief Minister Pushkar Dhami outlined key initiatives to aid the recovered individuals. In a press conference, CM Dhami announced a Rs. 1 lakh financial assistance package for each worker, urging their employers to grant 15 to 30 days of wage-free leave. Additionally, plans were unveiled for the construction of the Baba Baidyanath Temple at the tunnel's entrance, aligning with central government directives for tunnel safety.
After their emergence, CM Dhami conducted health checkups for the workers and advocated a comprehensive review of all ongoing tunnel projects in Uttarakhand. Expressing gratitude for global support, especially during challenges with machinery, Dhami emphasized the workers' physical well-being and medical supervision post-rescue.
President Draupadi Murmu also commended the collective resilience, expressing relief and happiness over the successful rescue. She acknowledged the workers' endurance during the 17-day mission, praising their courage in critical infrastructure construction. The Uttarakhand government's prompt response and support measures underscore a commitment to the workers' recovery and well-being after the recent tunnel incident.
