Worker Rescued After 17-Day Ordeal: A Firsthand Account

Rescuers hailed as heroes as they bring out 41 workers trapped in Uttarakhand tunnel for 17 days

New Delhi: Rescuers in Uttarakhand were met with wild cheers and flower garlands as they successfully brought out 41 workers who had been trapped in a tunnel for 17 days. The workers, with beaming smiles, were hailed as heroes as they were transported through a 57-meter steel pipe on stretchers fitted with wheels. State officials and their families awaited their arrival, embracing them with open arms.

One of the workers, Akhilesh Singh, shared his harrowing experience of being trapped in the tunnel. He explained that he was on his way home when suddenly, the tunnel collapsed in front of him, leaving his ears numb from the loud sound. For 18 hours, they had no contact with the outside world. Following their training, they opened a water pipe, which alerted the people outside to their presence. Oxygen was then sent to them through the pipe.

Now rescued, Mr. Singh plans to go home and rest for at least 1-2 months. “I will take a break before deciding what to do next, once the health checkups are done,” he said.

The Silkyara tunnel, located about 30 km from Uttarkashi, is an important part of the central government’s Char Dham all-weather road project, stretching 889 kilometers across the fragile Himalayan terrain. On November 12, a section of the tunnel collapsed about 200 meters from the entrance, trapping the laborers working inside.