‘Sure You Will Rescue Us': Uttarakhand workers’ 15-minute call with PM Modi

India’s one of the most challenging rescue operations, which clocked more than 400 hours, has come to an end. After 17 days of tense anticipation, the 41 workers trapped in the collapsed Silkyara tunnel in Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi were finally evacuated on Tuesday – ending their ordeal that began on the morning of Diwali, 12 November. Relief and happiness enveloped the faces of their family members, rescue workers and others involved in the operation. The emotional moment was the culmination of exhaustive rescue efforts that captured the nation’s attention last evening. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, soon after the workers were rescued, penned a heartfelt note on X praised the rescue efforts and congratulated workers for winning the battle. He also engaged in a 15-minute conversation with the workers after they received medical treatment. Here’s what he said… PM Modi heaps praise on the 41 workers “I congratulate you on coming out safely after being in danger for so many days. It is a matter of happiness for me and I cannot express it in words. If something bad had happened, can’t say how we would have taken that. It is God’s grace that all of you are safe,” PM Modi told the 41 workers in a telephonic conversation. [caption id=“attachment_13443732” align=“alignnone” width=“640”] Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a telephonic conversation with the workers who were successfully rescued from Uttarakhand’s Silkyara tunnel in Uttarkashi district, Wednesday. PTI[/caption] “17 days is a very long time, each one of you motivated each other throughout the crisis. At times like this, it is not rare to get into a little tu tu-main main. It even happens in a railway compartment. But still you all have remained united.” PM Modi said he used to keep tabs about the operation and was in regular touch with Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. “My PMO officials also were sitting there. But worry is not lessened by just getting information." A worker from Bihar, Saba Ahmed told that they never felt scared even for a moment down there inside the entrapment. “We are all from different states but we stayed together like brothers. We used to eat together. After dinner, we used to walk inside the 2.5 kilometre tunnel. In the morning, we used to do yoga because we were doing nothing else inside there,” he explained. The labourers stated that they were in touch with the rescue teams and family members thanks to the efforts taken by the central and the state government. “We will like to thank Uttarakhand government and Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami who remained in regular contact with us on phone. CM Dhami was there to greet us along with Union Minister General VK Singh (Retd) when we came out,” the worker said.

PM Modi speaks to workers rescued from Uttarkashi tunnel.#UttarkashiRescue #UttrakhandTunnelRescue pic.twitter.com/VpJkqb5pK2

— Manoj Goel (@ManojGoelBJP) November 29, 2023

As the worker mentioned CM Dhami and Gen Singh, PM Modi added, “Yes, VK Singh was there the whole time. He showed his Army training and discipline.” Another worker Gabbar Singh Negi who hailed from Uttarakhand expressed gratitude to PM Modi and CM Dhami, the company he works for, the Central government and rescue teams that worked day and night on the rescue operation. “There was no shortage of food, we are very happy that we are rescued. The central and the state government along with NDRF, SDRF teams and our company members kept us motivated. They worked really hard to evacuate us and were in touch with us all the time. We were also able to communicate with our families from inside the tunnel on phone,” the worker added. The Indian leader further lauded the two workers’ “great leadership” and for keeping everyone united. When PM Modi asked about how the workers would keep track of day and night, another worker said that they were sent mobile phones and chargers that kept them occupied. “I was worried because when we don’t get sunlight, our health suffers. But we were relieved once we started sending things inside,” the Prime Minister inserted. “I wanted to speak to you all after the medical checkup as I was worried. But when doctors informed me that all of you were fine, I could not control my excitement and decided to speak to you at night.” “Your families were very worried. All Indians and foreign leaders were worried about your safety,” the Prime Minister said, while complimenting the family members for their “patience and cooperation.”

उत्तरकाशी में हमारे श्रमिक भाइयों के रेस्क्यू ऑपरेशन की सफलता हर किसी को भावुक कर देने वाली है।

टनल में जो साथी फंसे हुए थे, उनसे मैं कहना चाहता हूं कि आपका साहस और धैर्य हर किसी को प्रेरित कर रहा है। मैं आप सभी की कुशलता और उत्तम स्वास्थ्य की कामना करता हूं।

यह अत्यंत…

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 28, 2023

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Another worker, Akhilesh Kumar from Uttar Pradesh’s Mirzapur said that he was happy to know that so many people outside felt relieved and elated at their rescue. Applauding PM Modi’s leadership, another worker said, “We are proud of your leadership, when you could bring stranded Indians from abroad, we were sure you will help rescue us too.” PM Modi commended the spirit of the workers, by saying, “The way you have endured this will inspire others how to tackle difficulties in life.” The 15-minutes encouraging call was concluded with the labourers proudly chanting, “Jai Hind” and “Bharat Mata Ki Jai.” [caption id=“attachment_13390102” align=“alignnone” width=“640”] Security forces personnel guard as rescue work continues after a portion of an under construction tunnel between Silkyara and Dandalgaon on the Brahmakhal-Yamunotri national highway collapsed, in Uttarkashi. PTI[/caption] Families celebrate Diwali The families, enduring prolonged desperation, celebrated the rescue and wholeheartedly thanked the government for bringing their loved ones back, according to ANI. They marked the occasion by bursting crackers and distributing sweets.

#WATCH | Shravasti, Uttar Pradesh: Dhanpati, mother of Ram Sundar, a worker rescued from the Silkyara tunnel in Uttarkashi, said, "We are very happy... We celebrated Diwali yesterday evening, the entire village celebrated Diwali happily yesterday." pic.twitter.com/Gegef2epiD

— ANI (@ANI) November 29, 2023

Some family members engaged in video conferencing with the workers to ensure their well-being. Many relatives, who had reached the site a couple of days after the incident and had been camping there since were finally reunited with their loved ones. Celebrations took place in Uttar Pradesh’s Lakhimpur Kheri and Odisha’s Nabarangpur. The rescue operation The Mammoth rescue operation was launched after a portion under-construction tunnel from Silkyara end caved in on 12 November trapping 41 workers. [caption id=“attachment_13440512” align=“alignnone” width=“640”] Rescue officials at work during the ongoing rescue operation of the 41 workers trapped inside the under-construction Silkyara Bend-Barkot Tunnel. PTI[/caption] Of the 41 men, 15 are from Jharkhand, two are from Uttarakhand, five are from Bihar, three are from West Bengal, eight are from Uttar Pradesh, five are from Odisha, two are from Assam, and one is from Himachal Pradesh. The rescue mission was delayed by a series of snags with high-tech auger machines failing to dig the debris. Rescuers then opted the banned rat-hole mining technique, which is often associated with Meghalaya, to do the manual drilling. On the last day , rescuers broke through the last stretch of the rubble around 7 pm using the rat-hole mining technique. Less than an hour later, the process of laying the escape pipe into the  drilled  passage was complete. Then, NDRF and SDRF teams entered the steel chute to reach the trapped workers and started bringing them out on wheeled stretchers, one-by-one.