CM Dhami announces interim aid of Rs 1 lakh to each rescued worker

Dehradun, 28 Nov: The rescue mission underway in Silkyara tunnel in district Uttarkashi concluded successfully late this evening. President Droupadi Murmu said that that she feels relieved and happy to learn that all the workers trapped in a tunnel in Uttarakhand have been rescued. The nation salutes their resilience and remains grateful to them for building critical infrastructure, even at great personal risk, far away from their homes. I congratulate the teams and all experts who have acted with incredible grit and determination to perform one of the most difficult rescue missions in history. She also congratulated the teams and all experts who have acted with incredible grit and determination to perform one of the most difficult rescue missions in history.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi not only expressed happiness over the successful rescue of the trapped workers but also saluted all those involved in the rescue mission for their hardwork and patience. Modi said that he wishes to tell this to the friends who were trapped in the tunnel that their courage and patience is inspiring everyone. Modi added that he wishes all of them and their families happiness and good health. It is a matter of great satisfaction that after a long wait these friends will now meet their loved ones. The patience and courage that all these families have shown in this challenging time cannot be appreciated enough. Modi also saluted the spirit of all the people associated with this rescue operation. His bravery and determination have given new life to the worker brothers. Everyone involved in this mission have set an amazing example of humanity and teamwork.

After the conclusion of the rescue operation, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami also addressed the media and expressed happiness over the successful conclusion of the rescue mission. In response to a question, he said that a large number of people were involved and whenever it felt necessary, consultation at national and international level were held and whatever material was required was procured with the help of the Centre.  He also thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and informed that  Prime Minister Modi had assigned to him the responsibility of ensuring a successful operation and had been communicating with him on a daily basis, seeking updates. Dhami added that had the Prime Minister Modi not played such a role, the rescue mission would have been even more difficult.

On this occasion, Chief Minister Dhami also announced that the government will pay an ex-gratia amount of Rs 1 lakh each to every rescued workers and has also directed the construction company  to grant compensation to enable the workers to comfortably reach their homes.

In response to another question, Dhami said that the workers were more or less healthy and that they chose to crawl through the pipe instead of being pulled out on stretchers. The CM also asserted that the government has ordered audit of all under construction tunnel projects and will even make rules and regulations so that such disasters could be avoided as far as possible.

It may be recalled that once the eviction began after 7:45 pm, it hardly took less than 30 minutes for all the 41 workers to come out of the tunnel through the drilled escape pipe. All were medically checked  at the temporary health camp set up at the entrance of the tunnel and then sent in  ambulances to Chinyalisaur Community Health Centre 35 km away. Before boarding the ambulance, CM Dhami and Union Minister of State Gen (Retd) VK Singh garlanded every worker and handed them a shawl each.