Evacuation of all 41 workers trapped in collapsed Uttarkashi tunnel should be top priority: PM Modi tells CM Dhami

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tuesday once again called up Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and took stock of the operation underway in Uttarkashi for the rescue of 41 workers trapped in the collapsed Silkyara tunnel.

During the conversation, PM Modi was briefed about the successful laying of a six-inch pipe through which food and other essentials like medicines will be sent. It will also be able to improve ventilation for those trapped inside.

In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Dhami said he informed PM Modi about the conversation with trapped workers with the help of an endoscopic camera that was sent in through the alternative six-inch food pipe.

During the call, PM Modi emphasised that the evacuation of all 41 workers should be the top priority.

आदरणीय प्रधानमंत्री श्री @narendramodi जी ने आज पुनः फोन कर सिलक्यारा, उत्तरकाशी में निर्माणाधीन सुरंग में फँसे श्रमिकों के राहत एवं बचाव कार्यों की जानकारी ली।

इस अवसर पर माननीय प्रधानमंत्री जी को 6 इंच व्यास की पाइप लाइन के सफलता पूर्वक मलबे के आरपार किए जाने एवं इसके माध्यम…

— Pushkar Singh Dhami (@pushkardhami) November 21, 2023

PM Modi spoke to Dhami on Monday too. During the conversation, the Prime Minister said it was necessary to keep up the morale of the trapped workers.

The pipeline development, on Monday, came hours after PM Modi called up Dhami to take stock of the rescue operation.

Earlier on Tuesday, the first visuals of workers trapped inside the collapsed tunnel in Uttarkashi. The development came a day after rescuers pushed a six-inch-wide pipeline through the rubble of the Silkyara tunnel.

In the video, which was also shared by Dhami, the workers were seen wearing yellow and white helmets and were seen receiving food items sent to them through the pipeline and talking to each other.

सिलक्यारा, उत्तरकाशी में निर्माणाधीन सुरंग के अंदर फँसे श्रमिकों से पहली बार एंडोस्कोपिक फ्लेक्सी कैमरे के माध्यम से बातचीत कर उनका कुशलक्षेम पूछा गया। सभी श्रमिक बंधु पूरी तरह सुरक्षित हैं। pic.twitter.com/vcr28EHx8g

— Pushkar Singh Dhami (@pushkardhami) November 21, 2023

Through this six-inch alternative pipeline, which has been called “first breakthrough” at the site, hot Khichdi was sent to the stranded workers for the first time since they were trapped on 12 November.

The under-construction tunnel from Silkyara to Barkot reportedly collapsed due to a muck falling in the 60-metre stretch on the Silkyara side, trapping 41 labourers. As per the government, the labourers are trapped in the 2 km-built tunnel portion, which is complete including concrete work that provides safety to the workers.

Electricity and water are available in the portion of the tunnel and workers were earlier provided food items and medicines through 4-inch compressor pipeline.

With inputs from agencies