Uttarkashi Tunnel Rescue: All 41 Workers, Including 5 from Odisha Successfully Evacuated After 17 Days

Uttarkashi/Bhubaneswar: In a challenging operation spanning several weeks, all 41 workers, including five from Odisha, were successfully rescued from a collapsed under-construction tunnel in Uttarakhand on Tuesday.

The 5 Odia labourers, namely Dhiren Nayak, Bisweswar Nayak, Raju Nayak, Bhagaban Bhotra, and Tapan Mandal spent nearly 17 days in the Uttarkashi Silkyara tunnel before the joint rescue operation, which involved the Indian Army, NDRF, SDRF, and various other agencies with expertise in such situations.

The rescue effort utilized heavy equipment and modern technologies, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, and senior officials closely monitoring the operation. Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik took proactive measures by sending Labour Minister Sarada Prasad Nayak to Uttarakhand to coordinate with authorities and assess the situation.

To support the emotional aspect, one family member of each of the five Odia labourers was sent to Uttarakhand to welcome their loved ones upon their successful rescue from the tunnel. The collaborative efforts and timely intervention ensured the safe extraction of all workers from the perilous situation.

The 41 laborers had been confined since November 12 when a section of the under-construction tunnel caved in. The trapped area, measuring 8.5 meters in height and 2 kilometres in length, was secured with electricity and water supply.