After a gruelling 17-day rescue operation, all 41 workers trapped inside the Silkyara tunnel in Uttarakhand were successfully rescued on Tuesday evening. A portion of the tunnel collapsed on November 12, trapping the workers inside the under-construction structure.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and Union Minister of State General (Retd) VK Singh met with the rescued workers and expressed their relief and admiration for their resilience.
The rescue operation, involving a team of over 100 personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and other agencies, faced numerous challenges, including heavy rains and unstable terrain. However, the team persevered, working day and night to reach the trapped workers.
“The exact time of breakthrough was 7:05 pm,” said Harpal Singh, Project Head of the Zoji-la Tunnel. “Uttarakhand CM, Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways and Civil Aviation Gen VK Singh are present there.”
CM Dhami praised the morale and courage of the workers and personnel involved in the rescue operation. “This is a day of great joy for all of us,” he said. “The rescue operation has been a testament to the spirit of Uttarakhand and the unwavering commitment of our rescue teams.”
The rescued workers are currently undergoing medical examinations and are expected to be reunited with their families soon.
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