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 PM Modi said he remained in contact with Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and the PMO officials who used to get him regular updates on the rescue operation. "However, the situation was such that I could not be less worried. Because updates and information do not solve the problem." The workers too updated the prime minister about their life inside the collapsed tunnel. A worker, representing the rest, said they never felt like they were losing hope. "Not even once did we feel weak or scared. Because we were 41 and used to stay together all the time," he said as he spoke about how they used to eat together, went for walks, and did yoga inside the collapse site. On behalf of the workers, he also expressed his gratitude towards Uttarakhand government and the chief minister for all the efforts. In an operation that lasted over 400 hours, rescuers managed to reach 41 workers trapped in the Uttarkashi tunnel since November 12. It was a test of grit and perseverance – for men on both sides of the 57 metres of debris – as the rescue operation suffered one setback after another. In the end, with the drilling machine giving way, it was 12 “rat-hole miners” who dug through the last 12 metres and reached the trapped men.
