In a remarkable display of coordinated efforts, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) successfully rescued all 41 workers who had been trapped inside the Silkyara tunnel in Uttarakhand since November 12. The collaborative mission involved “rat-hole” miners from Uttar Pradesh and the Army, who manually burrowed through the remaining 10-12 meters of rubble that separated the workers from freedom.
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, and other officials were in attendance at the rescue site to provide oversight for the operation. After enduring an ordeal lasting more than two weeks, the entrapped labourers are at last able to be reunited with their families.
A member of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Lieutenant General Syed Ata Hasnain (retired), commended the combined endeavours, asserting, “India has accomplished this remarkable feat through the guidance of our Prime Minister and the diverse organisations under his auspices.” The speaker recognised the crucial contribution of the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) and the principal secretary’s active participation in spearheading the rescue endeavours.
The undertaking encountered difficulties when a sizable auger machine became immobile on Friday, thereby requiring an adjustment in strategy. Twelve mining specialists specialising in “rat-hole” operations were entrusted with the manual excavation of the last ten to twelve metres of detritus in the collapsed segment of the tunnel currently under construction along the Char Dham route. Roughly 40% of the mandatory 86-meter vertical drilling was accomplished with success.
Tuesday at 1:30 pm, Bansi Dhar Tiwari of the information department of the state government declared the drilling to be complete. Subsequently, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami verified via social media that the escape conduit had been inserted into the drilled passage and expressed optimism regarding the prompt release of all employees.
Nevertheless, divergent accounts surfaced from the NDMA, contending that although the breakthrough had not been formally accomplished, the rescuers were approaching triumphantly.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to social media to express his relief and admiration for the courage and patience of the trapped workers. He wrote, “The success of the rescue operation of our labor brothers in Uttarkashi is making everyone emotional. I want to say to the friends who were trapped in the tunnel that your courage and patience are inspiring everyone. I wish you all well and good health.”
As the nation awaits the final confirmation of the successful conclusion of this rescue mission, the perseverance and unity displayed in the face of adversity stand as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit.
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