Uttarakhand Tunnel Rescue Operation Highlights: Day after rescue, workers being kept under observation at AIIMS-Rishikesh

Workers rescued from the Silkyara tunnel were airlifted to AIIMS-Rishikesh for a health check-up on Wednesday. 

The workers were kept under medical observation at a hospital in Chinyalisaur after their evacuation. They were brought to AIIMS-Rishikesh in a Chinook helicopter in the afternoon.

An official at AIIMS-Rishikesh said the workers will first be taken to the trauma ward of the hospital from where they will be shifted to the disaster ward for a detailed examination of their health parameters.

Their mental health will also be checked, he said adding they will be kept under observation. (PTI)

#WATCH | Rishikesh, Uttarakhand: Medical examination of all the 41 workers who were rescued from Silkyara tunnel yesterday, underway in Rishikesh AIIMS pic.twitter.com/7w8oH5Pff8

— ANI (@ANI) November 29, 2023

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Wednesday called for striking a balance between ecology and economy, saying his government had decided to review all such projects after the collapse of Silkyara tunnel.

"There are several such projects underway in the state. We have decided to have them reviewed. We need development but there should be a balance between ecology and economy," the chief minister said.

“My Diwali, Igas or Dev Deepavali came yesterday when they were evacuated," the CM said, referring also to other festivals celebrated in the state.

The workers were like family, he said. "After all they work for us... for the country." He thanked local deity Baba Baukhnag, multiple agencies involved in the rescue operation, national and international experts and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. (PTI)

The rescued workers are now being airlifted to Rishikesh, where they will undergo check-ups in AIIMS, on a Chinook Helicopter.

VIDEO | The 41 workers, who were rescued from collapsed Silkyara Tunnel yesterday, are being airlifted to AIIMS, Rishikesh, by IAF's Chinook helicopter from Chinyalisaur airstrip, Uttarkashi.#UttarakhandTunnelRescue #UttarkashiRescue pic.twitter.com/ycWwbW5XZN

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) November 29, 2023

The recent collapse of the Silkyara-Barkot tunnel, in the under-construction stretch of the pilgrimage route expansion along the Char Dhams has once again placed the unwelcome spotlight on safety concerns and matters of procedure — rather, their complete absence — in the execution of such projects in the mountains. While this debate is relevant, and one is relieved that the trapped workers are out, what should not be missed are the narratives on the ground that have consistently emerged from human-made disasters in the mountains.

Read the full opinion here.

Uttarakhand CM PS Dhami meets rescued workers and their relatives at Chinyalisaur, and said: 'The health condition of all workers is being monitored. All of them are doing well. The PM, like a parent, was concerned about the welfare of the workers. We are fortunate to have the PM's leadership under which each person in the country is safe...We have given an amount to each worker as an award for the courage they have shown. As per the advice of doctors, all the workers will undergo health check-up at AIIMS Rishikesh.' (ANI)

A day after the 400-hour operation, which led to the safe passage of 41 trapped workers inside the Silkyara tunnel in Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami met and enquired about the health of rescued workers at Chinyalisaur Community Health Centre on Wednesday, and handed over relief cheques to them.

#WATCH | Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami meets and enquires about the health of rescued tunnel workers at Chinyalisaur Community Health Centre, also hands over relief cheques to them pic.twitter.com/fAT6OsF4DU

— ANI (@ANI) November 29, 2023

Feroze Qureshi and Monu Kumar, experts in the rat-hole mining technique, were the first to meet the 41 labourers rescued from the Silkyara tunnel in Uttarakhand after they cleared the last bit of the rubble inside the structure.

All the 41 workers were rescued on Tuesday evening after 17 days of a multi-agency operation conducted by the central and state governments.

Qureshi from Delhi and Kumar from Uttar Pradesh were part of a 12-member team of rat-hole mining technique experts who were called on Sunday to do the drilling after an American auger machine came across hurdles while clearing the rubble.

'They (the labourers) could hear us when we reached the last portion of the rubble. Soon after removing the rubble, we got down to the other side,' Qureshi, a resident of Delhi's Khajoori Khas, told PTI.

'The labourers thanked and hugged me. They also lifted me on their shoulders,' he said, adding that he was happier than the rescued workers.

Qureshi is an employee of the Delhi-based Rockwell Enterprises and an expert in tunnelling work.

'They (the labourers) gave me almonds and asked my name. Soon, our other colleagues joined us and we were there for about half an hour,' Kumar, a resident of Bulandshahr in Uttar Pradesh, said.

He said the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel went inside the tunnel after them. 'We came back only after the NDRF personnel arrived,' Kumar said.

'We are very happy that we were part of this historic operation,' he added. (PTI)

Playing ludo on his phone, bathing in natural water, the taste of puffed rice and cardamom seeds — the long hours spent inside the Uttarkashi tunnel have left an indelible mark on 32-year-old Chamra Oraon, a resident of Jharkhand’s Khunti district, who was rescued on Tuesday night.

Speaking to The Indian Express while being taken to the hospital, Oraon said the smell of fresh air felt like a new lease of life. The credit for saving him, he said, goes to the rescuers who worked tirelessly for 17 days, and to the almighty.

Read his conversation with The Indian Express here.

Soon after they were rescued from the Uttarkashi tunnel collapse site on Tuesday night, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a telephonic conversation with the 41 workers. He congratulated them on their successful way out of the tunnel and lauded them for the courage they had shown over they 17 days they were trapped inside the tunnel.

PM Modi praised the workers for sticking around with each other as they waited patiently for the rescue team to reach them.

#WATCH | Prime Minister Narendra Modi's telephonic conversation with the workers who were successfully rescued from Uttarakhand's Silkyara tunnel after 17 days pic.twitter.com/G1q26t5Ke8

— ANI (@ANI) November 29, 2023

Being trapped in a closed space with no sunlight or fresh air, the 41 workers rescued from the under-construction Silkyara-Barkot tunnel are now being kept in a 24-hour medical observation at Chinyalisaur community health centre, where a separate section of 41 beds has been established.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said that the next course of action will be decided based on the recommendation of doctors.

“Because the trapped workers have just come out of a very unusual environment, they will be kept under observation for now, and based on the recommendations of doctors, we will decide the next course of action,” said Dhami.

He confirmed that none of them had any medical issues and they all are in good health. He added that even though there was availability of stretchers, none of the workers used them, and rather crawled through the rescue pipes instead. Read Full Story

With all the workers trapped in the Silkyara-Barkot tunnel in Uttarkashi now gradually making their way out, doctors at AIIMS, Rishikesh are now preparing to take care of any health issues that they might face.

As they had been in forced captivity, huddled together in an enclosed area with food shortages and lifeline supplies, doctors will be on the lookout for signs of emaciation and dehydration. Without proper hygiene, there is a likelihood of infections spreading in such situations as well, experts say. But the biggest concern is likely to be post-traumatic stress order (PTSD), requiring careful monitoring in the days after. “We do not know when they will reach here, most likely not at night. The immediate care they need will be provided at the temporary facility set up at the tunnel. However, they will be brought here for further treatment,” said Dr Meenu Singh, Director, AIIMS-Rishikesh. She said that the hospital is expecting minor orthopaedic injuries. (Read More)

The 17-day intense rescue operation came to an end Tuesday night as all the 41 workers trapped in Uttarakhand’s Silkyara tunnel were evacuated safely.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and Union minister V K Singh welcomed the workers as the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel brought them out through a steel chute that lined a 60-metre escape passage.

After the successful completion of the Uttarakhand tunnel rescue operation, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said that the "safety of our labour brothers who are building India is of paramount importance."

"The safe return of the labour brothers trapped in the Silkyara tunnel of Uttarkashi is a very happy news. My heartiest congratulations to them and their families. The safety of our labour brothers who are building India is of paramount importance. I salute all the brave men who made this difficult campaign successful," he posted on X. 

????????? ?? ????????? ????? ??? ???? ?????? ?????? ?? ???????? ????? ???? ?? ???? ?? ?????? ??? ?????? ?? ???? ???????? ?? ???? ???? ?????

???? ?? ??????? ???? ???? ????? ?????? ?????? ?? ??????? ???????? ??? ?? ??????? ?????? ?? ??? ????? ???? ??? ????????? ?? ???? ???? ???…

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) November 28, 2023

After the successful completion of the Uttarakhand tunnel rescue operation, CM Pushkar Singh Dhami announced that Rs 1 lakh will be given to each rescued worker.

He also said that the Baukhnag temple will be rebuilt and the tunnels under construction will be reviewed.

CM Dhami also thanked PM Narendra Modi for constant support during Silkyara tunnel rescue efforts. 

Speaking to the media after the successful completion of the Uttarakhand Tunnel rescue operation, CM Pushkar Singh Dhami said that all the rescued workers will be kept under medical supervision. No one is critical as of now, he said. 

"They(workers) all have come out from a different environment and condition so we will do as per the advice of the doctors...first they will be kept under medical supervision, their monitoring will be done...no one is critical," CM Dhami said.

#WATCH | Uttarkashi (Uttarakhand) tunnel rescue: CM Pushkar Singh Dhami says, They(workers) all have come out from a different environment and condition so we will do as per the advice of the doctors...first they will be kept under medical supervision, their monitoring will be… pic.twitter.com/peC78V181X

— ANI (@ANI) November 28, 2023

As rescuers on Tuesday successfully reached the 41 construction workers who were trapped in the Silkyara Tunnel from November 12, President Droupadi Murmu put out a message on social media saying that the nation salutes "the resilience of all the workers and remains grateful to them for building critical infrastructure, even at great personal risk."

"I feel relieved and happy to learn that all the workers trapped in a tunnel in Uttarakhand have been rescued. Their travails over 17 days, as the rescue effort met with obstacles, have been a testament of human endurance," the President wrote on X. 

"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," the message read. 

I feel relieved and happy to learn that all the workers trapped in a tunnel in Uttarakhand have been rescued. Their travails over 17 days, as the rescue effort met with obstacles, have been a testament of human endurance. The nation salutes their resilience and remains grateful…

— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) November 28, 2023

Speaking to the media after the successful completion of the Uttarakhand Tunnel rescue operation, CM Pushkar Singh Dhami thanked all the members of the recue team.

" I want to thank all the members who were part of this rescue operation...PM Modi was constantly in touch with me and was taking updates of the rescue op. He gave me the duty to rescue everyone safely anyhow.. without his support, this wouldn't have been possible. He spoke to me just now and instructed that medical check-ups of everyone must be done... and facilities must be done to take them to their homes..." he said.

#WATCH | Uttarkashi (Uttarakhand) tunnel rescue: CM Pushkar Singh Dhami says, " I want to thank all the members who were part of this rescue operation...PM Modi was constantly in touch with me and was taking updates of the rescue op. He gave me the duty to rescue everyone safely… pic.twitter.com/TldZLK6QEB

— ANI (@ANI) November 28, 2023

Uttarakhand Tunnel Rescue Operation Live Updates: Ambulances carrying workers trapped in the Silkyara-Barkot tunnel in Uttarakhand leave after the rescue operation completes on Tuesday pic.twitter.com/wpKwFqvG76

— The Indian Express (@IndianExpress) November 28, 2023

As rescuers on Tuesday successfully reached the 41 construction workers who were trapped in the Silkyara Tunnel from November 12, PM Modi put out a message on social media and appreciated their courage and patience throughout the ordeal. 

"I want to say to the friends who were trapped in the tunnel that your courage and patience is inspiring everyone. I wish you all well and good health," he wrote on X. 

"It is a matter of great satisfaction that after a long wait these friends of ours will now meet their loved ones. The patience and courage that all these families have shown in this challenging time cannot be appreciated enough. I also salute the spirit of all the people associated with this rescue operation. His bravery and determination have given new life to our labor brothers. Everyone involved in this mission has set an amazing example of humanity and teamwork," he further stated. 

????????? ??? ????? ?????? ?????? ?? ???????? ?????? ?? ????? ?? ???? ?? ????? ?? ???? ???? ???

??? ??? ?? ???? ???? ??? ??, ???? ??? ???? ????? ??? ?? ???? ???? ?? ????? ?? ???? ?? ??????? ?? ??? ??? ??? ?? ??? ?? ?????? ?? ????? ????????? ?? ????? ???? ????

?? ??????…

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 28, 2023

? On November 12, 41 workers were trapped inside the tunnel under construction at Silkyara on Yamunotri Highway in Uttarkashi district due to a landslide on November 12.

? The rescue operation was started after the information about the incident was received. SDRF personnel who arrived from Dehradun i got involved in the rescue along with the local police and district administration.

? JCB was first deployed to remove the debris in the tunnel, but due to debris falling from above, it was unsuccessful, so an auger machine was ordered from Dehradun and drilling was started in the tunnel.

? This machine also malfunctioned because the rebar was exposed after drilling about 50 meters in the tunnel. Then plasma cutter was called from Hyderabad.

?After cutting the auger with the cutter, manual drilling was started on the 16th day and today on the 17th day the operation was finally successful as the rescuers reached the trapped workers inside the tunnel. 

? Many organizations, officers and employees including NDRF, SDRF, BRO, RVNL, SJVNL, ONGC, ITBP, NHAIDCL, THDC, Uttarakhand State Government, District Administration, Indian Army, Air Force played an important role in the rescue operation.

All 41 workers trapped inside the Silkyara tunnel in Uttarakhand since November 12, have been successfully rescued. According to sources, PM Modi is likely to go to the hospital to meet the workers. He was closely monitoring the entire operation. 

Thirteen among the 41 workers trapped inside the Silkyara tunnel in Uttarakhand since November 12, have been successfully rescued till now.

Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami and Union Minister of State General (Retd) VK Singh were seen meeting the workers who were rescued after being trapped in the Silkyara tunnel for the last 17 days.

#WATCH | Uttarkashi (Uttarakhand) tunnel rescue: CM Pushkar Singh Dhami meets the workers who have been rescued from inside the Silkyara tunnel. pic.twitter.com/5gZHyuhrqF

— ANI (@ANI) November 28, 2023

Watch | Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and Union Minister of State General (Retd) VK Singh receive a worker who was trapped in the partially-collapsed Silkyara tunnel in Uttarkashi for the last 17 days. pic.twitter.com/tBrRhLenP7

— The Indian Express (@IndianExpress) November 28, 2023

The relatives of the workers being taken out are also present in the tunnel. The initial health training of the workers evacuated from the tunnel will be done in the temporary medical camp built in the tunnel. 

In the event of any issues, the health department has arranged 8 beds, and a team of doctors and experts has been deployed for immediate assistance.

Four among the 41 workers trapped inside the Silkyara tunnel in Uttarakhand since November 12, have been successfully rescued.

Uttarkarshi tunnel collapse UPDATE: Photos of the first worker rescued from the tunnel. pic.twitter.com/Iq0iVHOarv

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) November 28, 2023

NDRF, SDRF men will go inside Uttarakhand tunnel and bring trapped workers out on wheeled stretchers one by one, says a rescuer.

Going by the practised drill, each worker will lie down on a wheeled stretcher that would be pulled by rescue workers outside using ropes. 

The first worker among the 41 workers trapped inside Silkyara tunnel in Uttarakhand since November 12, has been successfully rescued.

After 17 days of ordeal, the rescuers have successfully finished the drilling  to reach the 41 trapped workers in the Silkyara Tunnel. T

"There has been great success in the ongoing rescue operation in Silkyara Tunnel, the work of pipe pushing has been done across the debris. Now preparations have been started to evacuate the workers safely," CM Pushkar Singh Dhami posted on social media. 

????????? ??? ??? ?? ??? ???????? ?????? ??? ???? ????? ???? ??, ???? ?????? ?? ????? ???? ?? ??-??? ?? ???? ??? ?? ???????? ?? ???????? ???? ??????? ?? ?????? ???? ?? ?? ?? ??? pic.twitter.com/wCMZrWSRSn

— Pushkar Singh Dhami (@pushkardhami) November 28, 2023

After 17 days of ordeal, the rescuers have successfully finished the drilling  to reach the 41 trapped workers in the Silkyara Tunnel. The first person expected to come out by 8 pm. The process of pulling out each of the 41 men is estimated to take 2 minutes per individual, the NDRF states.

In a new video NDRF rescue workers were seen carrying stretchers and ropes inside the tunnel. 

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel are expected to enter the steel chute pushed into the drilled passage over the past several days and then bring out the workers one by one.

Going by the practised drill, each worker will lie down on a wheeled stretcher that would be pulled by rescue workers outside using ropes. This is expected to take about two or three hours.

Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami was seen arriving at the rescue site this evening. Rescuers are on the verge of reaching 41 construction workers trapped in the Silkyara tunnel for over two weeks after drilling their way through debris to get to them.

Earlier in the day Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said the process of laying the escape pipe into the drilled passage was complete. “Soon all brother workers will be brought out,” he had posted on social media.

#WATCH | Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and other officials at the Silkyara tunnel rescue site.

Operation intensifies to rescue the 41 workers trapped inside the tunnel. pic.twitter.com/CmJK0rngT1

— ANI (@ANI) November 28, 2023

As part of the ongoing rescue operation, a temporary medical facility has been set up inside the tunnel. Once the workers are evacuated, a health check-up will be conducted at this facility. In the event of any issues, the health department has arranged 8 beds, and a team of doctors and experts has been deployed for immediate assistance.

VIDEO | A temporary medical facility has been set up inside the #Silkyaratunnel. #UttarakhandTunnelRescue #UttarkashiRescue pic.twitter.com/a6cfEjItNA

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) November 28, 2023

After efforts to release 41 workers trapped in the collapsed Silkyara-Barkot tunnel faced another major setback Sunday — the auger joint of the machine drilling through the debris broke — rescuers spent the last two days cutting through the blade stuck inside the rescue pipes and removing it piece by piece.

However, with large metal pieces hindering the machine drilling and breaking the auger, the rescuers drilled through the remaining few meters using the practice of rat-hole mining.

As the officials said they were on the verge of rescuing the 41 construction workers trapped in the Silkyara tunnel, NDMA member Lieutenant General Syed Ata Hasnain (Retd.) said that "it can take the entire night to complete this operation..." 

Earlier at the 4 pm media briefing, Lt Hasnain said the rat-hole mining experts – manually drilling through the last stretch – had reached the 58-metre point, and there were about two more metres to go. Ambulances have lined up at the mouth of the tunnel to rush the rescued workers to the community health centre about 30 kilometres away, after the initial checkup at the site.

#WATCH | Uttarkashi (Uttarakhand) tunnel rescue | Lieutenant General Syed Ata Hasnain (Retd.), Member, NDMA, says "...According to me, it will take the entire night to complete this operation..." pic.twitter.com/IBGV7YS5xp

— ANI (@ANI) November 28, 2023

After 17 days of ordeal, the end seems to be in sight as the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) stated that only 2 metres of drilling is left for the rescuers to reach the trapped workers. Here is a visual from inside the Silkyara tunnel:

Uttarkashi tunnel collapse UPDATE: Visuals of rescue officials inside the Silkyara tunnel. pic.twitter.com/D8Q22U9qkc

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) November 28, 2023

The 41 Indian construction workers trapped in a collapsed highway tunnel for 17 days will need long-term support after their rescue, including monitoring for post-traumatic stress disorder, officials said on Tuesday.

The men have been getting food, water, light, oxygen and medicine through a narrow pipe but efforts to dig a tunnel to rescue them with high-powered drilling machines were frustrated by endless snags and equipment breakdowns.

For some, the mental impact of their ordeal could last for many months, said Dr Dinakaran D. of the state-run National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences.

"All 41 would experience some post traumatic symptoms like insomnia, recurrent bad dreams, recurrent reliving of the tunnel collapse, anxiety," he said. "Not everyone will have the disorder but most will suffer from these symptoms for say three to six months." (Reuters)

With 41 workers trapped for 17 days inside the Uttarkashi tunnel, which collapsed on the day of Diwali, many of their relatives have been anxiously waiting at the spot, going through the highs and lows of the complicated rescue operation. On Tuesday, they expressed joy and relief after being told that the rescuers had achieved a breakthrough and that their loved ones would be brought out shortly. But until they are, the family members remain cautiously optimistic.

Jharkhand resident Aditya Naik, whose younger brother Gunodhar Naik (28) and cousin Ravindra Naik (32) are among those trapped inside, said he would wait for them to be brought out before informing the family back home. (Avaneesh Mishra writes..)

In Khirabera village, Ranchi, the mother of a trapped worker in the Silkyara tunnel expressed her anguish, stating it has been 17 days since her son became trapped. Expressing her heartfelt anticipation, she voiced her sentiments, sharing that her happiness will only be complete upon witnessing her son's safe return. She emphasized her disbelief, affirming that she won't fully trust the news until she lays eyes on her son herself.

After 17 days of ordeal, the end seems to be in sight as the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) stated that only 2 metres of drilling is left for the rescuers to reach the trapped workers. “Once a breakthrough is achieved, the process of pulling out each of the 41 men is estimated to take 3-5 minutes per individual. As a result, the overall operation may extend up to 3-4 hours. The NDMA also anticipates potential obstacles or gaps, such as equipment breakdowns, which are being factored into the plan,” it said.

VIDEO | "There are 41 people inside (tunnel) and outside there are several people who are involved in the rescue work, safety and security these people are equally important. We are not in any hurry," says Lt Gen (Retd) Syed Ata Hasnain, NDMA member, on Uttarkashi tunnel rescue.… pic.twitter.com/looL7erE6y

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) November 28, 2023

A Chinook helicopter has landed at the Chinyalisaur helipad in case of a medical emergency, following the rescue of 41 workers trapped inside the tunnel. 

VIDEO | Uttarkashi tunnel collapse UPDATE: Preparations for airlift underway at Chinyalisaur helipad in case of a medical emergency, following the rescue of 41 workers trapped inside the tunnel. pic.twitter.com/Xv0JZgK3gW

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) November 28, 2023

News agency PTI released visuals from Chinyalisaur Community Health Centre where the 41 workers - trapped in the tunnel since November 12 - will be brought following their rescue, which is expected anytime soon. 

VIDEO | Uttarkashi tunnel collapse UPDATE: Visuals from Chinyalisaur Community Health Centre where the 41 workers - trapped in the tunnel since Nov 12 - will be brought following their rescue, which is expected anytime soon. pic.twitter.com/v1KsTM5cLE

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) November 28, 2023

Rescue workers on Tuesday drilled through the 60-metre stretch of rubble of the collapsed Silkyara tunnel in which 41 workers are trapped for the last 16 days, officials said. Watch the live news here: 

An official from the Hyderabad-based Navayuga Engineering Company Limited, the company constructing the tunnel, today informed that food for the trapped workers was being sent along with the ambulances.  

"The food (for the trapped workers) is being sent along with the ambulance. Aloo gobhi, roti, dal and rice is in the menu today," said Vikas Rana, Assistant HR at Hyderabad-based Navayuga Engineering Company Limited. 

VIDEO | Uttarkashi tunnel collapse UPDATE: "The food (for the trapped workers) is being sent along with the ambulance. Aloo gobhi, roti, dal and rice is in the menu today," said Vikas Rana, Assistant HR at Hyderabad-based Navayuga Engineering Company Limited, the company… pic.twitter.com/aGbW2v5Fcw

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) November 28, 2023

As the rescue operation to bring out the 41 workers trapped inside the collapsed Silkyara tunnel is close to completion, the medical staff was seen arriving at the site this afternoon. 

Rescue workers on Tuesday drilled through the 60-metre stretch of the rubble of the collapsed Silkyara tunnel in which 41 workers have been trapped for the last 16 days. 

VIDEO | Uttarkarshi tunnel collapse UPDATE: Medical staff arrives at Silkyara tunnel as rescue operation reaches its final phase.#UttarakhandTunnelRescue pic.twitter.com/O4meku0zuB

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) November 28, 2023

Rescue workers on Tuesday drilled through the 60-metre stretch of rubble of the collapsed Silkyara tunnel in which 41 workers have been trapped for the last 16 days.

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel are expected to enter the steel chute pushed into the drilled passage over the past several days and then bring out the workers one by one.

Going by the practised drill, each worker will lie down on a wheeled stretcher that would be pulled by rescue workers outside using ropes. This is expected to take about two or three hours.

-Inputs from PTI

On the 12th day of the rescue operation, when the drill faced obstacles in the form of some metal garters, manual intervention was required. The only way forward was for someone to enter the narrow escape pipes, and cut the metal using gas cutters.

Speaking to The Indian Express, Praveen Yadav, an underground tunneling expert for Trenchless Engineering, recalled that several people, including members of the NDRF, tried to go inside, but in the absence of a blower or proper oxygen supply, they were unsuccessful.

Gautam Chandra, a relative of Manik Talukdar from West Bengal, got the news that the workers were finally expected to come out. 

"We got the news around 11.30 am that finally the time has come as only 3 metres of debris remains. It was a moment of pure joy and satisfaction and took us a minute to absorb. Soon we packed our bags and arrived at the spot. From here we will go to the hospital and from there we plan to go back home. Our family is waiting for them desperately," said Gautam. 

He confirmed that so far they do not have their tickets booked, but will find a way as soon as possible. 

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said that the pipe laying work inside the Silkyara tunnel where the efforts to bring out 41 trapped workers is underway has been completed.

"As a result of the immense grace of Baba Baukh Nag Ji, prayers of crores of countrymen and the tireless work of all the rescue teams engaged in the rescue operation, the work of laying pipes in the tunnel to take out the workers has been completed. Soon all the labor brothers will be taken out," he posted on X. 

???? ??? ??? ?? ?? ???? ????, ??????? ?????????? ?? ????????? ??? ???????? ?????? ??? ??? ??? ???? ???? ?? ??? ??????? ?? ???????? ???????? ?? ???? ??????? ?? ??? ??? ??? ???? ????? ?? ????? ???? ?? ???? ??? ????? ?? ??? ?????? ?????? ?? ???? ????? ???? ??????

— Pushkar Singh Dhami (@pushkardhami) November 28, 2023

Jharkhand resident Aditya Naik, who has been waiting for his younger brother Gunodhar Naik (28) and cousin Ravindra Naik 32 trapped inside the tunnel for the last two weeks, said that he is extremely happy and relieved with the news, but he will wait for the trapped workers to be out before he call his parents and inform about the success.

"Every time my parents call, they cry on the phone. On several occassions, I said they were going to be rescued the next day, but something went wrong. I don't want to give them another false hope," said Aditya, who came to work in the tunnel with Gunodhar and Ravindra around 6 months ago.

Soon after he received the news of the rescuers achieving a breakthrough, he packed his bags, and of his brothers and rushed near the spot.

"Our bags are ready. When they are out, they will first go to the hospital. But soon after the doctor discharge them, we will go back to our home," said Aditya.

" We missed Diwali. We will celebrate it now."

It may have taken 17 days, but there’s light at the end of the tunnel.

Forty-one workers who found themselves trapped inside the under-construction Silkyara-Barkot tunnel on September 12 were hours away from freedom after rescuers managed to reach them on Tuesday. All that remains is pulling the men safely out though rescue pipes, which could take a couple of hours.