The remarkable rescue of 41 workers trapped in Uttarakhand's Silkyara Tunnel is now a gripping book Woh Satrah Din. The book was released by Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami
On November 12, 2023, a routine workday at the Silkyara tunnel in Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand, turned into a nightmare when a section of the tunnel collapsed between 205 and 260 meters from the Silkyara side. Forty-one workers, who were on the other side of the collapse, found themselves trapped with their only exit blocked. What ensued was a harrowing 17-day ordeal, culminating in a remarkable rescue that captivated the nation. In a breathtaking 17-day rescue operation, 41 workers trapped deep within the collapsed Silkyara tunnel in Uttarakhand were successfully rescued. This monumental effort, marked by extraordinary perseverance and collaborative expertise, has been hailed as one of India's most triumphant rescue missions. It stands as a testament to human resilience, innovation, and the unwavering commitment to saving lives.
The success story of the rescue operation is now a gripping book Woh 17 Din (Those 17 Days) by Rajiv Ranjan Singh. Chief Minister Dhami recently released a book titled Woh 17 Din (Those 17 Days). The book chronicles the dramatic events of the rescue operation. Dhami praised the book for its positivity and the detailed account of the mission.
“It was one of a kind rescue operation watched by the world. The unprecedented situation called for innovative ideas and resilience on the part of rescue workers, government and the trapped workers who showed exemplary courage to hold on for 17 day. Just imagine how does one feel when trapped inside of an elevator for a few minutes and here were people trapped for 17 days, initially without any contact food or life support. I wrote this so that this great effort is not forgotten and inspires future generations,” Rajiv Ranjan Singh said.
The collapse of the tunnel sparked immediate action from local and national authorities. With the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the concerted efforts of the Uttarakhand Government, a full-scale rescue operation was launched. Initially, the rescue teams deployed heavy machinery to drill through the debris, but the complexity of the situation soon became apparent as the equipment faltered. It was at this critical juncture that the rescuers turned to an unconventional yet effective method: rat-hole mining. A team of skilled miners from Uttar Pradesh, led by Vakeel Hasan, was brought in to apply this technique in the rescue mission.
The emotional impact was palpable as both rescuers and those they saved experienced a profound sense of relief and accomplishment. The operation was further bolstered by the expertise of Australian tunnel specialists Arnold Dix and Chris Cooper, whose insights proved invaluable. The collaboration between local, national, and international teams exemplified a seamless coordination that ultimately ensured the safe evacuation of all 41 workers. The successful rescue of these 41 workers is not just a feat of engineering and determination, but a reminder of the enduring human spirit.
