NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached out to the 41 workers who were rescued from the Uttarakhand Silkyara tunnel after a gruelling 17 days of combined efforts by the Centre, state governments, and various agencies. Applauding their resilience, PM Modi emphasised the significance of those 17 days and praised the workers for maintaining their unwavering hope throughout.
WATCH: Prime Minister Narendra Modi ‘s telephonic conversation with the resilient workers rescued from Uttarakhand’s Silkyara tunnel after 17 days.
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He further expressed that the blessings of Kedarnath and Badrinath also helped them successfully sail through the crisis without any major problem. “We have the blessings of Kedarnath, Badrinath. Had something untoward happened, I can’t describe how we could have taken that. You all have shown exemplary bravery,” he remarked, acknowledging their exemplary bravery in the face of adversity.
He had a long telephonic conversation with the trapped workers during which he spoke about the unity and fraternity among them all. “You had each other’s back throughout the situation. At times like this, it is not rare to get into a little ‘tu tu-main main’ (disagreement). This happens even in a railway compartment. But you all have remained united,” Modi said.
Moreover, he added that he frequently communicated with Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami about their situation, with officials from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) present on-site to monitor the conditions.
The workers also acknowledged the endeavours of Union Minister of State, General VK Singh (Retd), in their rescue. In response, PM Modi affirmed, “Yes, VK Singh was there throughout. He exhibited his Army training and discipline.”
The world was focused on the 17-day mission aimed at freeing 41 workers confined within a tunnel under construction. To aid in the operation, international tunneling specialist Arnold Dix was brought in. Despite the use of a robust auger machine from the US, which encountered multiple failures, the breakthrough ultimately came when rat-hole miners were employed. After 24 hours of intensive effort, these miners succeeded in the rescue, liberating the 41 men from their entrapment.
READ FULL: Meet Shabab Mohammed, the man who united all inside Uttarkashi tunnel
