All 41 workers who were trapped in the collapsed Silkyara tunnel in Uttarakhand have been successfully rescued after 17 days. The workers were pulled out of the tunnel within an hour, but the extraction process took some time to allow them to adjust to the surface conditions. Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the rescue team for their efforts in safely rescuing the workers. He posted on social media, expressing his admiration for their courage and patience and wishing them good health.
President Droupadi Murmu also expressed her relief and happiness upon learning about the successful rescue operation. Union Home Minister Amit Shah called it great news for the nation and saluted the workers’ determination in facing such a challenging situation for an extended period of time.
Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, expressed his complete relief and happiness at the successful rescue of the trapped laborers. He described the operation as a well-coordinated effort by multiple agencies and one of the most significant rescue operations in recent years.
The rescue operation faced challenges due to the collapsed portion of the tunnel. Rat hole mining, a banned technique, played a crucial role in clearing the last few meters. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel went down the pipe first to assess the condition of the trapped workers and guide them through rescue protocols. Each worker was strapped to a stretcher and manually pulled up through 60 meters of rock and debris.
Visuals from the site showed an ambulance leaving the rescue site, indicating the workers’ safe rescue. Specially modified stretchers were used to bring the workers out through a pipe drilled into the hillside.
Overall, the successful rescue operation was a result of the combined efforts of various departments and agencies, despite the challenges they faced.
