The mission to rescue 41 workers stuck in the Silkyara tunnel since November 12 ended successfully on the 17th day on Tuesday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated the chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and expressed their good wishes for the workers on their rescue. Addressing the media after the end of the rescue operation, Dhami said that each of the workers will be provided Rs one one lakh and the government will ask the company to give each of them paid leave of 15 days to one month in order to fully recuperate from their ordeal. The rescued workers were welcomed by CM Dhami and Union minister of State for Road Transport and Highways VK Singh after they came out from the tunnel.
The 17-day rescue operation saw ups and downs since its start, especially in the final stage when obstructions damaged the auger drilling machine and hampered the work for a couple of days. The government faced various allegations from the opposition but maintained its focus on rescuing the stranded workers. Dhami told the media that the rat miners who worked in the final stage and removed the debris manually after the auger machine was damaged played a decisive role in the rescue operation. He further said that as demanded by the local residents, a shrine to the local deity Baukhnag will be constructed near the tunnel.
Dhami further said that the efforts of the rescue team, use of technology, the spirit of the stranded workers, PM Modi taking regular updates and the grace of the gods ensured the success of the rescue mission. Meanwhile, PM Modi telephoned Dhami and congratulated him on the successful completion of the rescue operation. He sought information about the condition of the rescued workers. Dhami informed him that arrangements have been made for tending to their health along with dropping them at home and looking after their family members. Defence minister Rajnath Singh also greeted Dhami on the successful completion of the rescue operation. The BJP State president Mahendra Bhatt greeted the entire rescue team for the successful completion of their mission.
