National Disaster Relief Force personnel Manmohan Singh Rawat, who was commander of the team that went in to rescue workers in the Uttarkashi tunnel on Wednesday said that throughout the operations they maintained constant contact with those trapped inside.
He narrated his experience and the ordeal leading to the successful evacuation of 41 trapped workers inside the Silkyara tunnel.
“When I entered the tunnel, I asked them, ‘Ap loog kaise hai? (How are you?)” I said to them, ‘Do not panic.’ They were very happy to see the NDRF team reaching out to them,” Rawat told ANI on Wednesday. Recounting the ordeal of rescue operations lasting for 17 days, he said, “It was very challenging to supply essential food items through a pipe to workers.”
“We kept assuring them that we would be reaching out to you and therefore do not panic and therefore kept their morale high during this time,” he added. Satpal, another NDRF personnel, said while speaking to ANI that the operation was “challenging” for the entire country.
“We were already informed about the complications of the operation. Four rescuers from a 12-member NDRF team were on the frontlines and had to march ahead of the tunnel. Four personnel were kept on backup to pull out the workers. He said that officials, including ministers, were in constant touch with the workers during this time.
Survey on UK tunnel rescue
Q-1 To whom will you give the credit for evacuating the workers from Uttarkashi Tunnel?
A-Central Government 42.93%
B-Rescue Team 33.42%
C- Foreign expert 3.17%
D- All of these 20.48%
Q-2 Did PM Modi play a crucial role in the success of the Uttarkashi Mission?
A- Yes 73.19%
B-No 23.05%
C-Can’t say 3.76%
Q-3 What is the biggest lesson of Uttarkashi Tunnel crisis?
A- Caution in construction 30.83%
B- Safety tools should be increased 25.07%
C- stop playing around in the mountains 24.49%
D- Review of mountain projects 13.25%
E-Can’t say 6.36%
Q-4 How would you like to celebrate Uttarkashi Tunnel Rescue Operation?
A- Rescue team should be respected 22.47%
B- Workers should be respected 30.54%
C- Economic package for all 40.92%
D-Can’t say 6.07%
Q-5 How much financial assistance should be given to the workers and families trapped in the tunnel?
A- 1 lakhs 31.54%
B- 5 lakhs 20.74%
C- 10 lakhs 14.40%
D- 20 lakhs 13.83%
E-Can’t say 19.49%
