Uttarkashi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday spoke to Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on the phone and sought information about the ongoing rescue operation of 41 workers trapped at the Silkyara tunnel in Uttarkashi since November 12.
According to the Uttrakhand government, PM Modi also inquired about the condition of the workers and gave some important instructions to CM Dhami.
“Information was taken about the rescue operation…The PM also inquired about the condition of the workers trapped inside the tunnel and the food and daily routine items provided to them. Information was also taken about the condition and safety of the personnel engaged in relief and rescue work…” the Department of Information and Public Relations of Uttarakhand said. On November 12, a portion of the under-construction tunnel from Silkyara to Barkot collapsed and debris falling in the 60-metre stretch on the Silkyara side of the tunnel trapped 41 labourers inside.
The workers are trapped in a 2 km-built portion, which is complete, including concrete work that provides safety to the workers.
“The Chief Minister informed him that this tunnel is being constructed using the New Austrian Tunnel Method. He told the PM that the work is being hampered when items made of steel come in front of the auger machine. In such a situation, all the blockages are being removed by the workers by stopping the auger machine and then taking it out, due to which the process is taking time,” the official release said.