CM Dhami speaks to trapped workers in Uttarakhand tunnel, assures them of safe rescue

New Delhi: Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Thursday spoke to some of the trapped workers in Uttarkashi’s Silkayara tunnel and impressed upon them about one of the biggest tunnel rescue operation being undertaken, in co-ordination with tunneling experts.

CM Pushkar Dhami, who reached the Silkyara tunnel in Uttarakashi this morning to take stock of rescue operations, spoke to a few workers trapped inside the tunnel and informed about the fast-paced rescue operation that was undertaken on war-footing to lift them out to safety.

Chief Minister spoke to persons named Gabbar Singh Negi and Saba Ahmed and enquired about their well-being and other workers stranded inside the tunnel.

Taking to his X handle, CM Pushkar Dhami shared pictures of his conversation with the trapped workers via walkie-talkie.

उत्तरकाशी के सिलक्यारा में निर्माणाधीन टनल में फंसे श्रमिकों में से गब्बर सिंह नेगी एवं सबा अहमद से बात कर उनका कुशलक्षेम जाना और उन्हें सकुशल बाहर निकालने हेतु तीव्र गति से चल रहे रेस्क्यू ऑपरेशन से भी अवगत कराया। दोनों लोगों ने सभी श्रमिक भाइयों के स्वस्थ और सुरक्षित होने की… pic.twitter.com/hODdRu3f3o

— Pushkar Singh Dhami (@pushkardhami) November 23, 2023

The Chief Minister also informed the trapped workers about Prime Minister’s consistent concern about their safety and how he took keen interest in ensuring their safe rescue from beneath the tunnel.

CM Dhami offers prayers outside tunnel

The Chief Minister also offered prayers outside the Silkyara tunnel (Uttarkashi) and prayed for the safe exit of labourers.

Notably, a small temple was erected outside the structure, days after tunnel collapse. Local priests mounted protest against the tunneling work after the fiasco and blamed it on disrespect to ‘Baba Bauknath’ as the reason behind collapse. It was after the insistence of locals, a makeshift temple was erected outside the tunnel.

Meanwhile, the rescue operation in Uttarakhand has reached advanced stage, with a couple of senior officials claiming that final rescue was just hours away.

International tunneling expert Arnodl Dix who was roped in to assist in the rescue operations said that ‘it was like knocking the last door’.

Latest update on rescue opeation

As per Uttarkashi Superintendent of Police Arpan Yaduvanshi, there lies a debris of just about 12 metres between the workers & rescue teams.

When a part of the tunnel caved in Silkyara range, the workers got trapped inside and were blocked by thick 60 metre rubble.

In 12 days of rescue operations, the teams worked round the clock without much success. But, it got stepped up after the arrival of high-intensity mountain cutting machines.

A communication link has already been established with workers and food items including veg pulaao & more are now being sent through the six-inch pipe.