Team News Riveting
Uttarkashi, November 28
After 17-day rescue mission involving over 200 experts from various government agencies from India and abroad, the 41 workers trapped in the Silkyara-Barkot tunnel were finally rescued on Tuesday evening.
The process to extricate trapped workers from Silkyara-Barkot tunnel ended with all 41 trapped workers being evacuated on Tuesday evening. The exercise ended an ordeal of over 400 hours for the workers who were trapped inside the 2-km stretch of tunnel since November 12.
The breakthrough was achieved after a tough rescue mission involving over 200 experts from various government agencies from India and abroad. They led the non-stop operation for 17 days. Vijay Kumar was the first worker to come out from the tunnel.
Family members of trapped workers were present near tunnel’s entrance.
A team of doctors was waiting at a makeshift hospital set up inside the tunnel. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Dhami and Union Minister General VK Singh (retd) were also present at the make-shift hospital. They talked to the workers and boosted their morale.
The President and the Prime Minister have expressed happiness and lauded the efforts of the rescuers and workers. President Droupadi Murmu said she felt relieved and happy to learn that all workers trapped in the tunnel have been rescued. “Nation salutes workers’ resilience, remains grateful to them for building critical infra, even at great personal risk,” she said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said everyone associated with rescue mission had set amazing example of humanity and teamwork. He added success of tunnel rescue operation is an emotional moment for everyone.
