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.

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.

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

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.