When you can bring stranded Indians from abroad, we were sure you will help us, the labourers trapped inside collapsed Uttarkashi tunnel told Prime Minister Narendra Modi over a 15-minute telephonic conversation after being rescued. The 41 rescued worked hailed the PM and said they were proud of his leadership.
The conversation took place on Tuesday during PM Modi’s phone call at the Silkyara tunnel site after 41 workers trapped in the under-construction road tunnel in Uttarakhand were rescued post a successful 17-day rescue operation. The tunnel, part of the Centre’s ambitious Char Dham project, collapsed due to a landslide on November 12.
Modi congratulated all the labourers and expressed his happiness. “Kedarnath baba aur Badrinath ji ki kripa thi. Seventeen days is a long time. Each one of you motivated each other. I took regular updates. Our PMO officer had too camped at the spot,” the prime minister told the rescued workers.
The labourers replied, “We never felt weak or distressed. We all stayed like brothers. We used to eat together when food came. We used to walk inside the tunnel. We did Yoga too.”
The rescued workers thanked the Uttarakhand government and chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, who “remained in regular contact” with them. “The CM was there to greet us along with Union minister VK Singh when we came out,” they added.
Adding to it, Modi said, “VK Singh was there all the time. He showed his soldier training.” VK Singh has served the Army for 42 years, from 1970 to 2012.
He started his career when he was commissioned in the 2nd Battalion of Rajput Regiment after graduating from Indian Military Academy and retired after serving as the Chief of Army Staff.
The prime minister further praised two labourers for showing “great leadership”, following which the workers praised PM Modi for his efforts to bring stranded Indians from abroad.
India, under the leadership of Modi, is known for successful operations like ‘Operation Ajay’, which was launched to bring back Indians from Israel amid conflict with Hamas in Gaza.
Other operations include ‘Operation Kaveri’ that brought back stranded Indians from conflict-ridden Sudan, ‘Operation Ganga’ in conflict-ridden Ukraine and ‘Operation Devi Shakti’ that evacuated Indians from Afghanistan after the collapse of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the fall of Kabul, the capital city, to the Taliban.
Further speaking to the labourers over phone, the prime minister told them, “You families were very worried. All of India was concerned. All your families showed lot of patience and cooperated with us. Doctors have told me all of you are medically fine.”
Soon after the workers were brought out of the collapsed tunnel, PM Modi had even posted on micro-blogging site ‘X’ and saluted the spirit of those involved in the operation. He said their courage and resolve have given a new lease of life to the 41 labourers.
“Everyone involved in the mission has created an amazing example of humanity and teamwork,” he said.
Addressing the 41 rescued workers, Modi wrote their courage and patience have inspired everyone as he wished them good health and well-being.
“It is a matter of great satisfaction that these friends of ours will meet their dear ones after a long wait,” the prime minister said, asserting that the patience and courage of their family members cannot be praised enough.
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