Dehradun, Nov 29: After 17 days of being trapped in the collapsed tunnel in Uttarakhand, workers received a phone call from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, marking the success of the rescue operation.
Expressing admiration for their courage and patience, the Prime Minister conveyed his well wishes and acknowledged the families’ resilience during the challenging period. The tunnel, part of the Char Dham project, collapsed on November 12, initiating a complex rescue mission.
The successful operation saw rat-hole mining experts playing a crucial role after advanced drilling machines encountered difficulties in clearing the final stretch of rubble. These specialists achieved the breakthrough by manually digging the last 12-meter stretch in less than 24 hours, bringing hope to the trapped workers.
The evacuation process commenced around 8 pm and involved lowering workers on specially modified stretchers down a two-meter-wide pipe drilled into the hillside.
उत्तरकाशी में हमारे श्रमिक भाइयों के रेस्क्यू ऑपरेशन की सफलता हर किसी को भावुक कर देने वाली है।
टनल में जो साथी फंसे हुए थे, उनसे मैं कहना चाहता हूं कि आपका साहस और धैर्य हर किसी को प्रेरित कर रहा है। मैं आप सभी की कुशलता और उत्तम स्वास्थ्य की कामना करता हूं।
यह अत्यंत…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 28, 2023
Also Read: All 41 Workers Safely Rescued as Uttarkashi Tunnel Ordeal Concludes After 17 Days: Key Highlights
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami was present at the site, personally welcoming the workers as they emerged. The extraction process, lasting about an hour, allowed each worker time to re-acclimate to surface conditions, with the temperature around 14 degrees Celsius.
The workers greeted with garlands, sweets, and cheers, were transported in ambulances—41 in total, one for each worker—to emergency medical facilities set up in Chinyalisaur, approximately 30 km away.
The Prime Minister’s post on social media highlighted the emotional impact of the successful rescue operation and conveyed gratitude for the workers’ courage. The families, overjoyed to reunite with their loved ones after 17 days, celebrated the remarkable achievement.
The ambulances, moving in batches, ensured the workers received necessary medical attention at the designated facilities. The successful conclusion of this challenging ordeal brought relief, happiness, and recognition of the collaborative efforts involved.
