PM Modi speaks to rescued Uttarkashi tunnel workers, asks about their well-being

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on late Tuesday spoke to the workers who were pulled out from Uttarakhand’s Silkyara tunnel after a marathon rescue operation which lasted for 17 days.

The Prime Minister spoke to the rescued construction workers over the phone and enquired about their well-being, officials told India Today.

All 41 workers were safely evacuated by rescue teams following a day-long rat-mining operation which was initiated after heavy and advanced drilling machines failed to clear the debris in the under-constrution Silkyara tunnel.

Soon after workers were pulled out, the Prime Minister took to X (formerly known as Twitter) and hailed the weeks-long efforts of the rescue teams to successfully and safely take the workers out.

He said that everyone involved in the mission has created an amazing example of humanity and teamwork.

“The success of the rescue operation of our brothers in Uttarkashi is making everyone emotional. I want to say to the friends who were trapped in the tunnel that your courage and patience are inspiring everyone. I wish you all well and good health,” the Prime Minister tweeted.

“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,” he added.

On November 12, 41 construction workers got trapped after a portion of the Silkyara tunnel, part of the Centre’s ambitious Char Dham project, collapsed due to a landslide.