Uttarakhand tunnel collapse: A family on edge in Odisha, govt jumps to act in Jharkhand

Raju went to work on the tunnel in June, leaving with two others from Mayurbhanj. There are a total of five workers from Odisha among the 40 trapped in the tunnel, including some from Nabarangpur district.

Muchiram, who had last spoken to his son a few days ago, said Raju had promised to return home for Makar Sankranti, a major festival in Mayurbhanj.

The Odisha government has said it’s in touch with the Uttarakhand government and NHAI authorities for the safe return of workers from the state.

Other than the five from Odisha, the workers trapped inside include 15 from Jharkhand, eight from Uttar Pradesh, four from Bihar, three from West Bengal, two each from Uttarakhand and Assam, and one from Himachal Pradesh.

The Jharkhand government on Monday sent a three-member team to provide assistance to assist in the rescue operations.

The team comprises one IAS officer, Bhuvanesh Pratap Singh, and two joint secretaries from the state’s labour department. The officers will start giving regular updates to the migrant control room Tuesday onwards.

कल उत्तराखण्ड के उत्तरकाशी जिले में निर्माणाधीन टनल के अचानक धंस जाने से कुल 40 श्रमिकों के टनल में फंसे होने की सूचना मिली, जिसमें कुछ श्रमिक झारखण्ड से भी हैं।
झारखण्ड के श्रमिक भाइयों की मदद के लिए राज्य सरकार का तीन सदस्यीय प्रतिनिधमंडल उत्तराखण्ड भेजा जा रहा है। टनल में…

— Hemant Soren (@HemantSorenJMM) November 13, 2023

A source in the Jharkhand government told The Indian Express: “As of now, the team is in Delhi. They should reach the spot in Uttarakhand by 1 pm Tuesday.”

Family members of some of those trapped have been making inquiries at Jharkhand’s migrant control room regarding the incident, sources said.

Deeply concerned to know that several workers including workers from #Odisha have been trapped following collapse of an under-construction tunnel in Uttarkashi, #Uttarakhand. Praying for the safe and speedy rescue of all the workers.

— Naveen Patnaik (@Naveen_Odisha) November 13, 2023

The chief ministers of both Jharkhand and Odisha have taken to social media to express their hope for the speedy rescue of the workers.

Spoke to Uttarakhand CM Shri @pushkardhami ji regarding rescue of workers, including those from Odisha who are trapped inside the under-construction tunnel in Uttarkasi.

Thankfully all the workers are unharmed and the Uttarakhand govt. is taking all measures for relief, rescue…

— Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) November 13, 2023

Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan spoke to Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami about the rescue operations.

“…Thankfully all the workers are unharmed and the Uttarakhand government is taking all measures for relief, rescue and safe evacuation. Praying for everyone’s safety and well-being,” Pradhan wrote on X.